Churches: Change of Use

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many representations the Commissioners have received from parishes on alternative uses for churches during the last 12 months.

Stuart Bell: Most proposals for alternative use do not attract representations. The Commissioners' Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee has received a total of 8 representations in the last 12 months. Three representations against proposals for alternative use were from individual parishioners. The remaining five representations - two from Parochial Church Councils and one from the local patronage board - were in favour of the proposals.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Watson) today.

Economic Situation

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on policy to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn on Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I am in regular contact with the First Minister. In addition to this, I attend the All Wales Economic Summit, which assists the development of Wales' strategy for riding out the downturn and developing further ways of supporting businesses and individuals in every part of Wales.

Rural Broadcasting Provision

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had on rural broadcasting provision in Wales.

Wayne David: My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly government colleagues to discuss issues affecting Wales, including broadcasting and digital inclusion.

Departmental Procurement

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 119-20W, and to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 303W, on departmental procurement, what payments were made to each of the individual organisations listed in the table placed in the Library during the period when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister existed as a Government Department.

Sadiq Khan: A table has been placed in the Library showing payments made since 5 May 2006, to those organisations previously listed, in respect of expenses incurred by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. The table shows the date on which the expenditure was recorded on the SAP accounting system.

Departmental Public Opinion

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on  (a) focus groups and  (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The data is not held centrally in the format requested. The information relating previous years is not readily available. Compiling the information would incur disproportionate costs.

Empty Property: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty properties there were in each  (a) ward and  (b) lower layer super output area of each principal seaside town in England in each year for which figures are available, ranked from highest to lowest (i) number of properties and (ii) percentage of total housing stock in each town.

John Healey: Vacant dwellings statistics at ward level, for 2003, 2004 and 2005 are published by the Office for National Statistics in the Housing domain of the Neighbourhood Statistics Service website and can be downloaded at.
	http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/datasetList.do?JSAllowed=trueFunction=%24ph=60Current PageId=60step=lCurrentTreeIndex=-1searchString= datasetFamilyId=l618Next.x=10Next.y=8
	Lower super output area level statistics are not currently available.

Fire Services

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her most recent estimate is of the cost of delivery of the FiReControl project.

Sadiq Khan: My statement on 26 November 2008 gives the estimated overall costs for delivery of the FiReControl Project as 380 million.

Fire Services: East of England

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's original budget was for the implementation of the FiRe Control project  (a) nationally and  (b) in the East of England region.

Sadiq Khan: The FiReControl Business Case Part 2: the National Case which will be published today forecasts that the estimated current costs for the delivery of the FiReControl Project as 380 million. This compares to about 340 million contained in the Full Business Case version 1.0. published in 2007. The East of England has received 3.3 million in grant funding to support work required to transfer control room services to the new Regional Control Centre.
	For further information on FiReControl costs and delivery timetable I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008.

Fire Services: South West

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the effect of the costs of operating the South West Regional Fire Control Centre is expected to be on Dorset Fire Authority's budget.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 3 November 2008
	 In the FiReControl Business Case Part One the South West regions is forecast to make as saving of 64,000, compared to the cost of where a region is forecast to incur a net cost as a consequence of the FiReControl project, Communities and Local Government has committed to making a payment to meet the shortfall. It is for the authorities within the region to decide how shared costs are apportioned between them.
	For further information on FiReControl costs and delivery timetable I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008.

Fire Services: South West

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department originally budgeted for the creation of the South West regional fire control room; what its current anticipated cost is; and what estimate her Department has made of future savings which will be made from the regional fire control room project in the South West.

Sadiq Khan: The current estimated cost of operating the south west regional control centre is 6,992,000 per annum when the entire network is fully up and running. In the south west it is forecast that there will be a saving of 64,000 per year compared to the costs of running the existing separate control rooms.

Floods: Housing

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of people who will be living in temporary accommodation on 25 December 2008 as a result of the floods in  (a) summer 2007 and  (b) September 2008.

John Healey: Returns from affected local authorities indicate a quickening in the pace at which displaced households are returning to their homes following the floods of summer 2007. On a like-for-like basis, local authority data shows that the number of displaced households fell by about 30 per cent. between the end of June and beginning of September and we estimate the figures have fallen by around 36 per cent. between the beginning of September and 24 October. Those living wholly or partially in caravans halved between the end of June and the beginning of September and, where we have updated data, the number had at least halved again by 24 October. Furthermore, the figures we have from local authorities show that all council and housing association tenants are now home.
	We will publish more up-to-date figures on those still displaced by the summer 2007 flooding as soon as we are able. I continue to work closely with local authorities and the insurance industry to ensure that the momentum in getting people back home is maintained.
	The floods of September 2008, although very serious for those affected, were not of a scale which required national co-ordination of the recovery effort and this process is being managed at the local level.

Homelessness: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were recorded as homeless in Suffolk in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: Information about English local authorities' actions under the homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected quarterly at local authority level. Local authorities within the Suffolk are as follows; Babergh, Forest Heath, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, St Edmundsbury, Suffolk Coastal, and Waveney.
	Data collected includes the number of households accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority must secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available.
	Information is also collected on the number of people who sleep roughthat is, those who are literally roofless on a single night.
	Summary tables showing the total number of households  (a) accepted as owed a main homelessness duty  (b) in temporary accommodation for each year since 1997-98, and  (c) rough sleeper estimates for each year since 1998, for each local authority, have been placed in the Library. For convenience an extract of the last five years for the local authorities within Suffolk can be found in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table A: Number of households accepted as owed a main homelessness duty during the year, 2003-042007-08 
			  Local authority  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-7  2007-08 
			 Babergh 80 77 48 34 54 
			 Forest Heath 57 55 55 57 56 
			 Ipswich 285 331 162 253 157 
			 Mid Suffolk (1) 81 78 54 46 
			 St Edmundsbury 141 188 139 29 35 
			 Suffolk Coastal 151 136 73 59 33 
			 Waverley 81 75 32 22 3 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Number of households in temporary accommodation( 1) , March 2004  to  March 2008 
			  Local authority  2003-0  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Babergh 33 42 21 13 8 
			 Forest Heath 19 25 19 17 16 
			 Ipswich 230 224 209 167 133 
			 Mid Suffolk (1) 6 4 4 8 
			 St Edmundsbury 36 5 4 10 18 
			 Suffolk Coastal 100 89 50 42 27 
			 Waverley 107 80 53 28 17 
		
	
	
		
			  Table C: Number o f rough sleepers (persons), 200 - 07, mid-year estimates local authority 
			  Local authority  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Babergh 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Forest Heath 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Ipswich 0 2 2 0 0 
			 Mid Suffolk 0 0 0 0 0 
			 St Edmundsbury 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Suffolk Coastal 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Waverley 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (1) Data not reported.

Housing: Standards

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment her Department has made of the relationship between opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment in seaside towns and levels of public housing below the decent homes standard in such towns.

Iain Wright: Regeneration schemes are one option a local authority use to help it deliver decent homes. The role and use of such schemes is a matter for local decision making and Communities and Local Government has made no assessment of the relationship between opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment in seaside towns and levels of public housing below the decent homes standard.
	The Department's report 'England's Seaside TownsA Benchmarking Study' published in early November present findings on the socio-economic conditions of the principal seaside towns in England. It highlights considerable variations exists between seaside towns, with a number faring markedly better than others and some faring better than England as a whole. The report can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/citiesandregions/englishseasidetowns

Mortgages

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the mean  (a) mortgage payment and  (b) rent payment was in England in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) age of household reference person and (ii) disposable income of household reference person and partner.

Kitty Ussher: I have been asked to reply.
	The available data is provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Mean weekly mortgage( 1)  payments for mortgaged households, by age of household reference person( 2)  () 
			   Age of household reference person 
			   16 to 25  25 to 34  35 to 44  45 to 54  55 to 64  65 plus  All 
			 1997-98 62 81 81 72 54 35 74 
			 1998-99 71 88 89 79 62 36 81 
			 1999-2000 66 85 89 76 58 36 79 
			 2000-01 76 98 100 84 62 43 89 
			 2001-02 82 103 102 87 69 39 93 
			 2002-03 80 103 106 87 66 37 93 
			 2003-04 84 104 107 93 77 46 97 
			 2004-05 99 121 126 103 80 43 110 
			 2005-06 116 134 133 117 92 56 121 
			 2006-07 129 146 143 125 101 62 131 
			  Source: Family Resources Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Mean weekly rent( 3)  for private tenancy households, by age of household reference person( 2)  () 
			   Age of household reference person 
			   16 to 25  25 to 34  35 to 44  45 to 54  55 to 64  65 and over  All 
			 1997-98 94 88 108 95 80 54 89 
			 1998-99 102 100 101 94 71 58 94 
			 1999-2000 105 102 92 89 72 58 93 
			 2000-01 106 106 100 92 83 56 97 
			 2001-02 121 125 117 103 83 65 112 
			 2002-03 128 122 113 101 89 69 113 
			 2003-04 128 133 127 119 105 66 123 
			 2004-05 131 134 127 123 98 80 124 
			 2005-06 127 142 136 119 103 75 128 
			 2006-07 146 146 133 131 117 91 136 
			  Source: Family Resources Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Mean weekly mortgage payments( 1)  for mortgaged households, by weekly income of household reference person( 4)  () 
			   Weekly net income 
			   Under 200  200 to under 400  400 to under 600  600 to under 800  800 and over  All 
			 1997-98 54 57 75 103 147 74 
			 1998-99 54 62 80 105 158 81 
			 1999-2000 50 60 79 101 144 79 
			 2000-01 54 65 85 106 163 89 
			 2001-02 62 64 82 108 169 93 
			 2002-03 58 63 82 106 166 93 
			 2003-04 64 67 86 111 160 97 
			 2004-05 77 74 96 121 181 110 
			 2005-06 88 82 102 129 190 121 
			 2006-07 88 86 110 137 203 131 
			  Source: Family Resources Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Mean weekly rent( 3)  for private tenancy households, by weekly income of household reference person( 4)  () 
			   Weekly net income 
			   Under 200  200 to under 400  400 to under 600  600 and over  All 
			 1997-98 74 85 102 199 89 
			 1998-99 76 94 104 183 94 
			 1999-2000 79 90 106 164 93 
			 2000-01 74 93 110 180 97 
			 2001-02 85 103 122 218 112 
			 2002-03 92 107 127 164 113 
			 2003-04 105 110 126 194 123 
			 2004-05 101 114 130 185 124 
			 2005-06 102 114 140 185 128 
			 2006-07 115 124 142 187 136 
			  Source: Family Resources Survey

Non-domestic Rates: Small Businesses

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many small businesses have claimed small business rates relief in Bolton South East constituency in the last 12 months; and how much relief they have claimed.

John Healey: Information on small business rate relief in the Bolton South East constituency is not available.
	For the financial year 2007-08, Bolton council awarded 1.9 million in small business rate relief, but the number of businesses claiming is not available.

Ordnance Survey

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Ordnance Survey has received in respect of use of its mapping data covering the Greater London area for the purpose of promoting information from  (a) Government agencies,  (b) the Crown Estate,  (c) Greater London Authority,  (d) the London Development Agency,  (e) Visit London,  (f) Transport for London,  (g) each London borough and  (h) each business improvement district, broken down by category of income.

Iain Wright: Ordnance Survey licenses data to a large number of public and statutory bodies whose work in whole or part includes the Greater London area, including Government Agencies, the Crown Estate, Greater London Authority, the London Development Agency, Transport for London and each London borough.
	A significant number of these bodies acquire their Ordnance Survey data through collective purchasing agreements which are paid centrally. Licensees are not required to indicate the nature of the internal business use to which they apply their data or the specific areas in which these business uses are undertaken.
	Ordnance Survey does not, therefore, hold specific information on the revenue received from the use of mapping of the Greater London area from public and statutory bodies for the purpose stated.
	Visit London is a company which does not currently licence data directly from Ordnance Survey, though may have access to Ordnance Survey data through contract work for Ordnance Survey licensees.
	The Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the London Development Agency have access to Ordnance Survey's data through the Greater London Agreement.
	Ordnance Survey does not collect information on how data licensed through these collective agreements is used by individual bodies.
	Ordnance Survey is in the process of undertaking a strategic review of its operations. Two of the issues that are being addressed are first, the perceived and actual complexities in licensing arrangements and secondly, the accounting treatment for revenue raised via different products.

Social Rented Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure that the views of local authority tenants on  (a) social housing issues and  (b) improvements to their homes are considered appropriately.

Iain Wright: holding answer 28 October 2008
	The Government are establishing a new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority. Professor Ian Cole was appointed as independent chair of an advisory panel appointed to look at how best to extend the role of the Tenant Services Authority, the new regulator for social housing, to regulate local authority providers. Professor Cole's recommendations were published in September. Both Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) and Tenants and Residents Organisations of England (TAROE) were members of the panel and two workshops were held with tenants of local authorities to help inform the panel's considerations. We will be consulting about extending its remit to local authority housing and how it engages with the views of local authority tenants.
	The Government are also creating working with tenants a new 'National Tenant Voice' to ensure tenants can shape and influence policy and decision-making at local, regional and national Government.
	The Government have also set a new agenda that puts tenants at the heart of decision-making about their homes and neighbourhoods. This combines many existing tenant engagement activities with new ones.
	The Department is also reviewing Tenant Participation Compacts introduced in 2000. Compacts are produced by all local authorities and set out how tenants will be involved collectively in decision-making about the service they receive from their landlord. The Review was announced in the Community Empowerment White Paper Communities in Control.
	In order to ensure that the views of tenants on improvements to their homes are considered appropriately we have set out consultation requirements in legislation and guidance. Tenants have been engaged in an options appraisal process to decide the best delivery route for decent homes and then further consultation is required at different stages in the delivery process. We have recently advised local authorities that want to change their delivery route for decent homes, or choose a different route to maintain decency that we expect the same options appraisal process to be undertaken.
	Tenants are also able to take the initiative over the management of their homes. The Right to Manage Regulations, which were introduced in 1994 were updated at the beginning of October to simplify and speed up the process. These regulations were accompanied by guidance to encourage and support tenant management.
	The Housing and Regeneration Bill 2008 introduced a requirement for local authorities to co-operate with tenants groups to undertake stock options studies and to work with them towards their preferred option. As part of ongoing housing policy development and delivery, officials and Ministers meet with tenants and tenant representative bodies.

Social Rented Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many registered social landlords  (a) are in breach of their borrowing covenant,  (b) are within 5 per cent. of breaching their covenant,  (c) expect to be charged higher rates of interest,  (d) are renegotiating loans and  (e) are seeking increases in their gap funding; and what steps her Department has taken to assist them in each case.

Iain Wright: The Tenant Services Authority (TSA), the new regulator of the social housing sector, will from 1 December 2008 operate the Housing Corporation's existing powers to require financial information from RSLs and will have a statutory objective to ensure that they are financially viable and properly managed.
	The Housing Corporation currently collects and evaluates the business plans of all housing associations that are development partners (those that are eligible to bid for Social Housing Grant under the National Affordable Housing Programme 2008-11). The current evaluation of 2008 business plans includes reviews of current and projected
	compliance with loan covenants. This work will be complete early in 2009. The TSA will be able to report fully on loan covenant compliance for those associations shortly thereafter. There is no evidence that any associations are currently in breach of their loan covenants, nor that any are seeking increases in their existing gap funding agreements.
	The Corporation has also been monitoring the impact of current market conditions, both in terms of loan covenant compliance and market sales, through its quarterly surveys with its development partners and other associations since the beginning of 2008. The results of these surveys are placed in the Library of the House. The results of the October 2008 survey were published on 25 November and are available on the Corporation's website at:
	http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.16146/changeNav/431
	Key findings of the survey are that:
	most housing associations have loan facilities that cover more than two years worth of projected loan drawdowns
	a small number of associations are intending to raise new debt
	of the 5.5 billion that associations intend to drawdown from loan facilities in the next 12 months, only 0.3 billion, or 5 per cent. of the total, is new debt which has still to be arranged; and
	associations are projecting receipts of 1.2 billion through sales of low cost home ownership units and other assets; if those sales are not achieved, further debt will be required.

Working Neighbourhood Funding

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Minister of State for Local Government to the hon. Member for Leeds East on the methodology used in respect of Working Neighbourhood Funding in Leeds.

John Healey: Since the launch of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) in December 2007, I have exchanged correspondence and had discussions with a number of hon. Members including the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie). The methodology for determining eligibility for the WNF which we have published was a feature of all correspondence and conversations between hon. Members and me.

Afghanistan: Military Aircraft

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the average daily sortie rate was for the eight Harrier aircraft deployed in Afghanistan in October 2008;
	(2)  what the planned sortie rate is for 8 Tornado aircraft due to replace Harrier in Afghanistan next year during its first month of operation in theatre.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 24 November 2008
	I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. However, I can confirm that the Tornado force will provide the same vital capability in support of the International Security Assistance Force as is currently being provided by the Harrier force and I cannot understand why you are telling people otherwise.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Harrier force at its full establishment could achieve harmony on Operation Herrick.

John Hutton: Full manning of the front-line Harrier Force to current establishment, is insufficient to meet the enduring requirement of Operation HERRICK within RAF harmony guidelines. Pilots and ground crew from supporting Harrier units can be used to supplement the front-line to help achieve harmony, but this is not sustainable on an enduring basis.

Air Force: Military Bases

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions there are on flying times and patterns for  (a) helicopters based at (i) RAF Benson and (ii) RAF Odiham and  (b) Hercules at RAF Lyneham.

Bob Ainsworth: All RAF stations must adhere to and operate within the low flying system as outlined in the United Kingdom Military Planning Document Volume 3, Part 1. The publication The Pattern of Military Low Flying across the United Kingdom 2007-2008', copies of which are available in the Library of the House, provides a report on the levels of low flying training by both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft across the United Kingdom.
	In terms of restrictions specific to RAF Benson and RAF Odiham, local avoidance zones have been established in order to reduce disturbance to local residents. These are self-imposed local restrictions which can be lifted as operational circumstance require and are only applicable to aircraft operating out of these particular stations. The RAF Benson Station Flying Book directs the restriction of over-flights of the local villages of Ewelme, Benson, Berrick Salome and Roke and the town of Wallingford. Visual circuit flying training (where the aircrew use ground references such as landmarks as a reference instead of flying wholly on instruments) is prohibited after 23:59hrs. In addition, military helicopter crews avoid flying over Aylesbury, Oxford, Thame, Abingdon, Grove, Didcot and Wantage below 1000ft. Aircrew from RAF Odiham strive to avoid flying over the villages of South Warnborough, Long Sutton, Odiham and Crondall whenever possible. There are no instrument approaches to Runway 27 after 20:00hrs and when using fields for training exercises after 20:00hrs the approach is varied to avoid concentrating noise in one area.
	Various restrictions are imposed on the operation of CI30 Hercules aircraft based at RAF Lyneham. During the day, a maximum of six training aircraft are permitted in a circuit. Night flying is restricted between the hours of 21:00hrs and 08:00hrs by not permitting practice circling low-level approaches and limiting the number of low-level circuits to three. However, there is an exception to this for Tactical Air Landing and Night Vision Goggle training when varied approaches are used to minimise disruption. In addition, night flying circuits on runway 06 alternate from the right-hand to the left-hand of the airfield every hour to minimise noise.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of personnel in each pinch point trade in the armed forces exceeded harmony guidelines for tour intervals in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Ainsworth: Individual Separated Service is currently recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. Individual separation is recorded as one of 16 activity codes; these codes allow commanders to identify how much separation is caused by each activity. Data from the system is currently only available to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The Army, being the last to transfer to JPA, does not yet have sufficient data to provide meaningful statistics. A complete period of data should become available in January 2010. Even with a full cycle of data the system is not configured to identify individual tour intervals for Service personnel. The system is designed to identify where individual harmony guidelines are being broken. The current individual harmony guidelines are:
	The Royal Navy guidelines determine that its personnel spend, on average, 60 per cent. of their time deployed and 40 per cent. alongside in their home port during a three year period. The maximum individual threshold (Separated Service) is 660 days away from their normal place of work in the same three year period.
	The Army guidelines determine that its soldiers can be deployed for one six month tour in every 30 months (six on 24 off) and during that 30 month period a soldier should not expect to be away from his normal place of work for more than a total of 415 days.
	The Royal Air Force guidelines determine that its personnel should not spend more than 28 days in every four months away from their normal place of duty, which allows for a four month operational tour (four on 16 off).

Armed Forces: Labour Turnover

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) outflow and  (b) voluntary outflow rate has been of each infantry battalion over the last 12 months, broken down by rank.

Bob Ainsworth: Outflow information for each infantry battalion is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, total outflow figures by Arm/Service and paid rank have recently become available for 2007-08 and figures for the Infantry are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Outflow from the  t raine d strength of the Infantry by p aid  r ank  for FY 2007-08 
			   Number 
			  Officers  
			 Total 270 
			 Lieutenant Colonel 20 
			 Major 90 
			 Captain 140 
			 Subalterns 20 
			   
			  Soldiers  
			 Total 3,480 
			 Warrant Officer Class I 70 
			 Warrant Officer Class II 100 
			 Staff Sergeant 90 
			 Sergeant 150 
			 Corporal 270 
			 Lance Corporal 480 
			 Private 2,310 
			  Notes: 1. UK Regular Army includes nursing services and excludes full time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish regiment and mobilised reservists. 2. Total outflow figures include personnel removed from the strength having been declared long term absentee (LTA). 3. Officer figures exclude those with a paid rank of Colonel and above. 4. Due to the implementation of the new Joint Personnel Administration System all Army data from 1 April 2007 are provisional and subject to review. 5. Figures have been rounded to 10; numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 6. Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts. 7. All figures are provisional. 
		
	
	Due to the ongoing validation of data on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system, a break down of exit by reason, including voluntary outflow cannot currently be produced for army officers and other ranks from FY 2007-08 onwards.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans he has for the expansion of the armoured vehicle support initiative in 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department plans to continue with the armoured vehicle support initiative programme in 2009.

Quentin Davies: The strategic intent to transform the way in which support is delivered to our current Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) fleet in order to ensure best value for money remains extant. The approach so far has been embodied in the Armoured Vehicle Support Initiative (AVSI) which examines the comparative advantage of either contracting with a partner (BAE SYSTEMS) or delivering support through incremental improvement to current support arrangements. The Department intends to pursue this strategic intent in 2009 although the format is continually reviewed.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include the Hadley plant of BAE systems Land Systems in the work undertaken to deliver the Warrior Fightability Lethality Improvement Programme.

Quentin Davies: This is a commercial decision for the company.

Army: North West

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regiments were based in the North West in each of the last three years; and how many will be based in the North West in the next 12 months.

Bob Ainsworth: The following units have been based in the north-west over the last 22 months:
	
		
			  Serial  Unit  Location 
			 1 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (2 YORKS) Prestonto move to Cyprus in December 2010 
			 2 2nd Battalion The Rifles (2 RIFLES) Preston (up to August 2007) 
			 3 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (4 LANCS) Preston 
			 4 103 (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Royal Artillery (Volunteers) (103 Regt RA(V)) St Helens 
			 5 75 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers) (75 Engr Regt (V)) Failsworth, Manchester 
			 6 156 (North West) Transport Regiment The Royal Logistics Corps (156 Tpt Regt RLC (V)) Liverpool 
			 7 33rd (Lancashire and Cheshire) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) (33SigRegt(V)) Liverpool 
			 8 5 General Support Medical Regiment (5 GS Med Regt) Prestonmoving to Catterick in 2009 
			 9 207 Field Hospital (Volunteer) (207FdHosp(V)) Manchester 
			 10 208 Field Hospital (Volunteer) (208FdHosp(V)) Liverpool 
			 11 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (The Royal Welch Fusiliers) (1 R Welsh) Chester 
			 12 Liverpool University Officer Training Corps Liverpool 
			 13 Lancaster University Officer Training Corps Lancaster 
			 14 Manchester University Officer Training Corps Manchester 
		
	
	The following units are due to move to the north-west in the next three years:
	
		
			  Serial  Unit  Location 
			 15 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS) Preston (from December 2010) 
			 16 253 General Support Medical Regiment (Volunteers) (253GSMedRegt(V)) Elements will be based in Preston from early 2009 
			 17 254 General Support Medical Regiment (Volunteers) (254GSMedRegt(V)) Elements will be based in Preston from early 2009 
		
	
	Data on the units located in the North West before January 2007 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Army: Recruitment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits joined the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy,  (c) Royal Marines and  (d) Royal Air Force in each of the last three years, broken down by region of recruitment.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on recruitment by region is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The total number of personnel that were recruited (intake from civilian life) to the UK regular1 forces by service for each of the last three financial years is as follows:
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Royal Navy (2)2,690 (2)2,640 (2)2,750 
			 Marines (2)1,240 (2)1,130 (2)1110 
			 Army (2)12,730 (2)14,300 (2)14,540 
			 Royal Air Force (2)1,480 (2)1,720 (2)1,930 
			 (1) UK regular forces includes nursing services but excludes full-time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. It includes trained and untrained personnel. (2) Denotes provisional and subject to review due to ongoing data validation of the Joint Personnel Administration system (JPA).  Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. 
		
	
	Recruitment (intake from civilian life) figures can be found in table 3 of Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 01: Strength, intake and Outflow of UK Regular Forces. TSP 01 is published monthly. The most recent publication shows figures at 1 September 2008 and can be found at
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=48thiscontent=30date=2008-10-14pubType=1PublishTime=09:30:00from=hometabOption=3.

Army: Weapons

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when the L14A1 side attack mine came into army service; when it was removed from the inventory; and how and when the ordnance's disposal took place;
	(2)  what trigger mechanisms were employed for the L14A1 side attack mine while it was in Army service; and whether it was ever fitted with infrared sensors.

Quentin Davies: According to our records, the L14A1 side attack mine was not in service with British Armed Forces. Two variants of an off-route anti-tank mine, the LI 14A1 and the L131A1, are known to have entered military service prior to 1971, but no record can be found of the precise dates. Initiation was either by an operator using a trigger switch or by means of a break-wire stretched across the road. Neither munition was fitted with infrared sensors. They were withdrawn from service in 1994 and were disposed of by burning at the MOD range at Shoeburyness in the mid 1990s.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: It is not possible to break down the rate of non-sickness absence as there are currently no reliable data available.
	Sickness absence rates in MOD for the 12 months ending 31 December 2005, 31 December 2006, 31 December 2007 and 31 March 2008 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Sickness absence rates 
			  Full-time equivalent 
			  Year ending  Industrial  Non industrial  Total 
			 31 March 2008 11.54 8.01 8.66 
			 31 December 2007 11.85 8.22 8.90 
			 31 December 2006 12.11 8.04 8.82 
			 31 December 2005 12.54 8.55 9.30 
			  Notes: 1. Data exclude staff in trading funds, the royal fleet auxiliary, and locally engaged civilians for whom sickness absence data are not readily available. 2. Data presented reflects the current Cabinet Office definition, setting a maximum absence of 225 days per person, and excludes data for weekends, annual leave and bank holidays. 3. Rates are calculated by dividing the total working days lost for each period by a weighted 13 month average for the period listed with the first and last month receiving a weighting of 0.5, and all other months a weighting of 1. 
		
	
	Information prior to the 12 months ending 31 December 2005 is compiled on a previous definition for monitoring sickness absence which is incomparable with figures for 1 January to 31 December 2005 onwards.
	
		
			  Sickness absence ratestrading funds 
			  FTE Rates 
			  Year ending  Industrial  Non Industrial  Total 
			 31 March 2008   8.66 
			  Notes: 1. Trading fund personnel cannot be broken down by industrial status. 2. Data presented reflect the current Cabinet Office definition, setting a maximum absence of 225 days per person, and excludes data for weekends, annual leave and bank holidays. 3. Rates are calculated by dividing the total working days lost for each period by a weighted 13 month average for the period listed with the first and last month receiving a weighting of 0.5, and all other months a weighting of 1. 
		
	
	Information prior to the 12 months ending 31 March 2008 is not considered robust enough to provide any meaningful sick absence rates due to data inconsistency within the HR systems used by trading funds to record absences.
	 Target rates of worker sickness absence for civil servants in the Ministry of Defence
	Since the Cabinet Office publication of 'Working well together in the Public Sector' in June 1998 the Ministry of Defence have had sickness absence targets included in departmental plan with performance contained in the appropriate departmental report and accounts.
	Targets have been to reduce sickness absence by cumulatively by 2.5 per cent. each year, although the continual change in methodology means that the actual figures cannot be compared year on year. The target set for financial year 2008-09 is to reduce sickness absence to 8.0 average working days lost (AWDL) per full-time equivalent employee.

Departmental Civil Servants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: The number of civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence by core personnel, Agencies, trading fund staff, locally engaged civilians and Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff as at 1 April each year since 1997-98 is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			  FTE: 
			   April 1997  April 1998  April 1999  April 2000  April 2001  April 2002 
			  Core Department:   
			 Ministry Of Defence (less agencies, trading funds, LEC's and RFA's) 50,520 46,060 48,070 41,210 40,800 42,140 
			
			  Agencies:   
			 Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency 870 110 100 120 120 230 
			 Army Base Repair Organisation 3,020 2,780 2,530 2,560 2,690  
			 Army Base Storage And Distribution Agency 3,810 3,430 
			 Army Personnel Centre 1,450 1,070 1,120 1,170 1,250 760 
			 Army Technical Support Authority 830 830 780
			 Army Training And Recruitment Agency 4,810 4,700 4,410 4,400 4,390 4,390 
			 British Forces Post Office 350 340 330 360 370 360 
			 Defence Analytical Services Agency 130 130 120 140 140 160 
			 Defence Animal Centre 70 70 
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency   4,920 4,790   
			 Defence Bills Agency 680 700 660 620 610 610 
			 Defence Clothing And Textile Agency 550 540 530
			 Defence Codification Agency 150 120 
			 Defence Communications Service Agency  530 660 1,460 3,060 3,100 
			 Defence Dental Agency 120 170 190 210 490 170 
			 Defence Estates 1,230 1,160 1,240 1,220 1,350 1,420 
			 Defence Geographic Imagery Intelligence Agency860 780 720 
			 Defence Housing Executive   1,020 960 990 940 
			 Defence Intelligence And Security Centre 1,080 1,070 1,290 1,040 360  
			 Defence Medical Training Organisation  110 160 160 170 170 
			 Defence Procurement Agency4,090 3,930 3,910 
			 Defence Secondary Care Agency  760 810 790 730 620 
			 Defence Storage And Distribution Agency2,760 3,240 2,930 
			 Defence Transport And Movements Agency 150 150 170 210 320 330 
			 Defence Vetting Agency 50 350 350 370 350 280 
			 Disposal Services Agency 70 60 60 80 80 80 
			 Duke of York's Royal Military School 100 100 100 110 100 110 
			 Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre 140 150 150
			 Logistic Information Systems Agency 170 190 200
			 Logistics Support Services 460 390 510
			 Medical Supply Agency  330 340 240  300 
			 Military Survey 710 700 710
			 Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency 4,060 3,950 3,840 3,810 3,690 3,580 
			 Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation 1,180 1,550 
			 Naval Bases And Supplies Agency 9,490 8,100 8,060
			 Naval Manning Agency 90 100 90 100 110 110 
			 Naval Recruiting And Training Agency 1,640 1,540 1,220 1,200 1,090 1,020 
			 People Pay And Pensions Agency 930 870 730 660 670 690 
			 Queen Victoria School 70 70 70 70 70  
			 RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency 4,590 4,530 
			 RAF Personnel Management Agency 220 230 240 220 240 240 
			 RAF Signals Engineering Establishment 580 580 590
			 RAF Training Group Defence Agency 2,270 2,250 2,130 2,100 2,070 2,120 
			 Service Children's Education 760 720 890 860 870 870 
			 Specialist Procurement Services  820 
			 Veterans Agency  880 
			 Warship Support Agency 2,350 2,340 2,350 10,540 8,500 7,960 
			
			  Trading Funds:   
			 Army Base Repair Organisation 2,050  
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency 4,490 4,420 
			 Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratories 12,590 11,000 10,960 11,420 11,320 2,870 
			 Meteorological Office 2,150 2,230 2,270 2,270 2,160 2,160 
			 UK Hydrographic Office 790 790 820 850 860 910 
			
			  Other:   
			 Locally engaged civilians 15,860 15,160 14,870 14,850 13340 14,120 
			 Royal Fleet Auxiliary Staff 2,210 2360 2360 2,420 2360 2,370 
			
			 Ministry of Defence civilian total 133,30 126,290 123,010 121,290 118,170 110,090 
			  Note: Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 10, and not may not sum precisely to the overall total.  Source: DASA (Quad-Service) 
		
	
	
		
			  FTE: 
			   April 2003  April 2004  April 2005  April 2006  April 2007  April 2008 
			  Core Department:   
			 Ministry Of Defence (less agencies, trading funds, LEC's and RFA's) 41,240 40,560 45,220 47,650 55,550 52,470 
			
			  Agencies:   
			 Service Personnel Veterans Agency 170 160 210 200 1,000 940 
			 Army Personnel Centre 820  
			 Army Training And Recruitment Agency 4,310 4,000 4,020
			 British Forces Post Office 380 360 330 320   
			 Defence Analytical Services Agency 160 180 190 200 190  
			 Defence Bills Agency 590 590 580 540   
			 Defence Communications Service Agency 3,200 3,180 3,430 3,610   
			 Defence Dental Agency 170 170 
			 Defence Estates 1,550 2,450 2,820 2,900   
			 Defence Geographic Imagery Intelligence Agency 760 810 
			 Defence Housing Executive 880  
			 Defence Intelligence And Security Centre 140 160 
			 Defence Medical And Education Training Agency 650 580 600 600 570  
			 Defence Procurement Agency 3,750 3,870 3,840 4,460   
			 Defence Storage And Distribution Agency 4,690 4,530 4,440 4,370 3,910 3,160 
			 Defence Transport And Movements Agency 290 320 350 150   
			 Defence Vetting Agency 300, 340 320 320 350 380 
			 Disposal Services Agency 70 60 60 110   
			 Duke of York's Royal Military School 110 110 110 110   
			 Medical Supply Agency 260 270 
			 Ministry Of Defence Police 3,550 6,030 7,360 7,470 7,800 7,760 
			 Naval Manning Agency 110  
			 Naval Recruiting And Training Agency 1,050 1,160 990
			 People Pay And Pensions Agency 700 790 810 930 1,080 1,110 
			 Queen Victoria School 70 70 
			 RAF Personnel Management Agency 210  
			 RAF Training Group Defence Agency 2,100 2,310 2,220
			 Service Children's Education 800 960 1,010 1,040 960 960 
			 Veterans Agency 820 850 780 800   
			 Warship Support Agency 5,180 4,990 
			
			  Trading Funds:   
			 Army Base Repair Organisation 1,990 1,840 1,660 2,150 2,130  
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency 4,110 3,670 3,160 2,600 2,060  
			 Defence Support Group  3,120 
			 Defence Evaluation And Research Agency 3,030 3,140 3,240 3,270 3,240 3,350 
			 Meteorological Office 2,140 1,860 1,780 1,720 1,670 1,740 
			 UK Hydrographic Office 940 920 930 970 970 1,010 
			
			  Other:   
			 Locally engaged civilians 13,840 15,430 15,660 14,540 13,840 11,240 
			 Royal Fleet Auxiliary Staff 2,450 2310 2350 2,340 2360 2,270 
			
			 Ministry of Defence civilian total 107,580 109,050 108,470 103,380 97,690 89,500 
			  Note: Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 10, and not may not sum precisely to the overall total.  Source: DASA (Quad-Service) 
		
	
	For the period from 1 April 1997, the Department has steadily reduced the number of agencies within its organisational structure, by either merging smaller agencies to form new ones, or absorbing individual agencies back into the MOD Core Department.
	As at 1 April 1997 the MOD had 36 individual agencies, excluding trading funds, by 1 April 2008 this total has reduced to six agencies. Two trading funds have been merged to form a new trading fundDefence Support Group on 1 April 2008.
	With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servantsalthough civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office Public Bodies publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
	Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.

Departmental Databases

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what type of data have been sold by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months.

Kevan Jones: For material generated by the Ministry of Defence (the Department) the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) has delegated her responsibility to the MOD's Director of Intellectual Property Rights (DIPR). DIPR's delegation includes managing the external use of MOD archival material such as photographs, film footage and text. In addition DIPR grants exploitation licences to external parties reliant on the use of the Department's trade marks and technology. Licences granted comply with the Re-use of the Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and are on commercial terms consistent with deriving best value for the tax payer.
	DIPR do not sell data, however licences have been granted for the following material during the last 12 months.
	
		
			   Approximate number  of licences issued 
			 Still photographs 281 
			 Film footage 18 
			 Copyright text, reports, training material and publications 8 
		
	
	The information requested relating to MOD's Executive Trading Funds Agencies, (namely: Defence Support Group (DSG), Dstl, Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)) is as follows:
	DSG and Dstl have not sold data under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months.
	Neither the Met Office nor the UKHO sell data.
	The Met Office has licensed the following data types under the Re-use Regulations in the last 12 months:
	Rainfall radar data;
	Observational data;
	Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data;
	NWP archive;
	Climatological data;
	Lightning detection data;
	Text weather forecasts;
	Photographs;
	Charts and graphs;
	Archived press releases;
	Copy text (from Met Office website, journal articles and publications);
	Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis data.
	In this period the Met Office has also provided various data from the types listed above for re-use by other European National Meteorological Services. In addition, the Met Office has licensed NWP data and satellite observational data originated by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites respectively; the UK is a member state of both organisations, represented by the Met Office.
	TheUKHO grants licences to re-users of its Crown Copyright data in fall accordance with the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations. UKHO has licensed the following types of data in the last 12 months:
	Chart data in paper and digital form (raster and vector formats;)
	Tidal Prediction data (heights and times);
	Tidal Harmonics data allowing licensees to calculate their own tidal predictions;
	Tidal stream data (horizontal flow);
	Nautical Almanac data (data for astronomical navigation, such as sunrise/sunset times and star times and positions);
	List of Lights and Fog Signals;
	Textual sailing directions (also known as Pilots);
	Bathymetry data (survey data);
	Wrecks, obstructions, cables and pipelines data;
	Practice and Exercise areas data;
	Notices to Mariners (weekly updates to charts);
	Historical charts and surveys;
	Astronomical Publications;
	Miscellaneous nautical publications.
	Over 80 per cent. of UKHO licences are for non-commercial or low commercial value re-use, and licensed free of charge via the UKHO website on-line licensing system. Commercial re-use of UKHO data is licensed on commercial terms which are consistent with the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), Information Fair Trader Scheme (IFTS) and the Trading Fund principles and are regularly audited by the OPSI. UKHO re-use licensing is fully in accordance with the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers were employed in his Department in each year since 1997-98; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in  (a) his Department,  (b) its non-departmental public bodies and  (c) its agencies in each of the last three years.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 496W to the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) which provides details for the current year.
	The number of press officers fluctuates throughout each year as well as year-to-year. No historical records are available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on cost is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 897W, by my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans to the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Paul Holmes).
	The Ministry of Defence has recorded the following personal data related incidents in the last 12 months.
	
		
			  Date of incident  Description of incident  Scale of data loss 
			 November 2007 Theft of laptop deployed on overseas exercise. Laptop taken from Land Rover between  14 November 2007 and 9 January 2008. Personal information records for 500 service personnel deployed on exercise. 
			 January 2008 TAFMIS recruiting laptop stolen from car outside private residence in Birmingham. The laptop held details of 600,000 recruits or potential recruits to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force. The information held is not the same for every individual. In some cases, for casual inquiries, the record may be no more than a name. But, for those who progressed as far as submitting an application to join the forces, more extensive personal data is held. In some 3,500 cases, banking details were also included. Records also contain limited personal details of an additional 400,000 individuals; either next of kin or referees for the recruits. 
			 January 2008 Service Children's Education (SCE) Agency teacher's laptop stolen in Brunei. Details on 17 individual pupils. Contact details were only provided at the level of detail of British forces post office codes. 
			 February 2008 Theft of private laptop containing Army personnel date from nightclub in London. Laptop now returned. Details of about 100 Army personnel serving in an Engineer Regiment. 
			 March 2008 Black bin bag discovered by Frimley Green resident. Bag contained patient documentation from Derriford Hospital plus personal documentation relating to a current member of the military medical staff at MDHU Frimley Park who had recently served at MDHU Derriford. Documents related to NHS patients treated at Derriford. 
			 March 2008 A computer server holding medical records was lost during transfer from a NATO unit in Lisbon, Portugal to the UK. Medical records for up to 7,000 individuals. 
			 April 2008 Theft of Defence Dental Service laptop from RAF Halton between 27 April and 1 May 2008. Contained 300 personal records (these did not contain sensitive personal data as defined by the Data Protection Act). 
			 May 2008 Privately-owned USB memory stick lost by junior Army officer found on floor of night club in Newquay. USB stick returned to MOD. Exercise instruction for an adventurous training exercise conducted by the officer's platoon and some personal information. 
			 June 2008 3 laptops stolen on EDS premises between 10 June 2008 and 13 August 2008. Laptops fully encrypted so no information compromised. 
			 August 2008 Computer server crash at Celle Medical centre in Germany led to accidental destruction of medical records. Subsequent action to restore from back-ups exposed failure of backup process at this medical centre (but not others). Medical records for 1.150 individuals (servicemen and their dependants) 
			 August 2008 Theft of 3 USB portable hard drives from secure computer facility at RAF Innsworth between  22 August and 17 September 2008. 6.2 million documents containing an archive of RAF personnel information. 
			 October 2008 Laptop stolen from Army foundation college at Harrogate which had been used for making local passes for junior soldiers. Photographs and limited personal details for 450 junior soldiers 
			 October 2008 Loss of portable hard disk from EDS hook Data of the same type as January 2008 TAFMIS laptop loss on 1.7 million recruits and potential recruits.

Iraq: Detainees

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when  (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department were informed of the allegations made by the International Committee of the Red Cross about abuses by United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison in its report of February 2004;
	(2)  whether Ministers in his Department were informed by officials of  (a) allegations concerning the treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and  (b) the interim report of the International Committee of the Red Cross of February 2004 on the treatment of prisoners by coalition forces in Iraq.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the then Defence Secretary on 27 May 2004, to the then hon. Member for Cheadle (Mrs. Calton),  Official Report, column 1843, and the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames),  Official Report, column 1845W, and by my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 16 June 2004,  Official Report, column 992W.
	An advance copy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) report The Treatment by the Coalition Forces of Prisoners of War and Other Protected Persons by the Geneva Convention in Iraq during Arrest, Internment and Interrogation, dated 10 February 2004, was received by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and, on 12 February, copies were passed to the offices of the UK Special Representative and the Senior British Military Representative in Iraq (SBMR-I). SBMR-I passed a copy to Headquarters Multi-National Division (South East) in Iraq on 13 February, to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in the UK on 16 February, and posted a copy to the Ministry of Defence in London that arrived on 27 February.
	On 26 February 2004, the ICRC formally presented the report to Ambassador Bremer as Head of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq at a meeting attended by an official from the Office of the UK Special Representative. The proceeds of this meeting were reported by telegram to the FCO in London within 24 hours.
	In their meeting on 18 March 2004, the President of the ICRC, Dr. Kellenberger, did mention briefly to my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) that the February ICRC report contained allegations concerning treatment of detainees by forces other than UK forces, although naturally the part of their discussion which covered detainees in Iraq focused on specific allegations against UK forces. The Minister discussed the concerns raised by Dr. Kellenberger with officials on his return to London. Officials had already received assurances that UK investigations were under way into allegations of abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. Defence Ministers became aware of the specific allegations against UK forces contained in the ICRC report when they read the report over the weekend of 8-9 March 2004. A copy had been passed by officials to the Defence Secretary's office on 7 May 2004.
	The ICRC report summarises a series of working papers handed over to coalition forces based on observations and interviews during the 29 visits the ICRC conducted in 14 places of detention throughout Iraq between 31 March and 24 October 2003. Ministers had been aware of those issues relating to UK forces for five months before they were aware of the report itself. Allegations of abuse are taken very seriously and, by the time the ICRC report was published, the Royal Military Police were already engaged on several investigations into specific alleged incidents of abuse by UK forces.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian contractors employed by his Department were serving on  (a) Operation Telic and  (b) Operation Herrick at the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by company providing the contractors; and which service or function is performed by each such contractor.

Quentin Davies: There are currently some 2,200 civilian contractors listed as working for the Ministry of Defence on Operation Telic and some 3,000 civilian contractors listed as working for the Ministry of Defence on Operation Herrick. The Prime Contractors for whom these individuals work and their functions are listed in the following table:
	
		
			  Operation Telic 
			  Contractor  Function 
			 148 Squadron (EFI) NAAFI Services 
			 Aggreko Generators 
			 AIEE Motorola Supply of Radios 
			 Al Alghanin White Fleet Supplier 
			 Al Bahar and Bardawil (BB) Security Walls, Accommodation, General Trading 
			 Al Hanafi Cleaning Services 
			 Al Hasan Fuel Station Fuel Coupons 
			 Al Hilal Enterprise Accommodation 
			 Al Khaleej Accommodation 
			 Al Majd United Engineering Company Engineering and sub contractors 
			 Al Sawari Waste Disposal 
			 Al Yamama Building/Engineering and sub contractors 
			 Almoayed Services Photocopiers 
			 American United Group Hairdressing 
			 BAE Engineering 
			 Bishara Photocopiers 
			 BLK (British Link Kuwait) Building, Tented Accommodation and Services 
			 Blue Helix Communications 
			 Budget Car Rental White Fleet 
			 CMS Communications 
			 Comtec Communications 
			 Damac Catering 
			 DHL Logistics/Freight/Parcel delivery/Office Accommodation 
			 Dopet General Support Equipment 
			 Echos Restaurants 
			 Elite Logistics White Fleet 
			 Elite Properties Accommodation 
			 Fast Supplies Aircraft Coolers and general building supplies 
			 Fine Foods Bottled Water 
			 Garda World Vehicle Maintenance 
			 Gulf Hotel Accommodation 
			 Gulf House Markets Forklift Truck hire 
			 Harlow Specialist Life Support  Logistics Hire of Photocopier 
			 ICLOS Internet 
			 Inchcape Shipping Services Logistics (with KBR UK) 
			 Iraqi Local Goods Gift Shop 
			 Jamalco Forklift Truck hire 
			 Jarir Bookstore Stationery 
			 Jassim Transport Hire of Vehicles (RTCH) 
			 KBR (UK) Accommodation/Bulk Fuel Installation Management, Maintenance, Interpreters 
			 KGL (Kuwaiti Gulf Link) Bus Services 
			 London Gifts Gift Shop 
			 Mott MacDonald Consulting Civil Engineering 
			 No Lemons Vehicle Repair (Toyota Land Cruisers) 
			 Oman Air Engineering Aircraft Washing

Joint Force Harrier

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces serving with Joint Force Harrier have broken harmony guidelines in each of the last three years, broken down by  (a) air crew and  (b) ground crew and (i) Royal Air Force and (ii) Royal Navy personnel.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on numbers of RAF and Royal Navy air and ground crew personnel who may have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, on average, Harrier squadrons spend four months out of every 12 deployed on Operation HERRICK.

Military Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2008,  Official Report, column 58W, on future large aircraft, what progress has been made in addressing the shortfall in fitting a fuel tank inerting system to the A400M development aircraft.

Quentin Davies: The first UK A400M development aircraft which is not currently fitted with pipework for a Fuel Tank Inerting system will be used initially by Airbus for Flight Test purposes in support of the development programme. This will continue for a period of several years, after which it will be refurbished prior to delivery to the RAF. The specific content and extent of this refurbishment work will need to be reviewed and informed as development progresses. This will be the correct time to address the potential provision of Fuel Tank Inerting on this development aircraft.

Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department left under  (a) involuntary and  (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department (Z) each of his Department's agencies.

Kevan Jones: To provide this specific information would require a departmental-wide trawl to ascertain the number and cost of involuntary and voluntary staff exits in each year since 2005-06. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	We do hold information centrally on departmental-wide voluntary early release schemes which were launched in March 2005 and March 2008. The following table shows the number of staff who voluntarily left the Ministry of Defence under the departmental-wide voluntary 2005 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in each year between 2005-06 and 2007-08, grouped by their basic rate of pay at the time of departure:
	
		
			   Up to 25,000  25,001 to 50,000  50,001 to 75,000  75,001 to 100,000  Over 100,000  Total 
			 2005-06 260 329 14   603 
			 2006-07 266 346 24   636 
			 2007-08 287 391 13   691 
			 Total 813 1,066 51   1,930 
		
	
	These numbers vary slightly from those reported previously as different reports have been reconciled. The Ministry of Defence meets the cost of early departures, and this includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
	The following table shows expenditure on early departures in each year since 2005-06.
	
		
			million 
			 2005-06 41 
			 2006-07 51 
			 2007-08 67 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of staff who will voluntarily leave the Ministry of Defence under the Departmental-wide voluntary 2008 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, grouped by their basic rate of pay at the time of departure. These figures are subject to change as final selections and acceptances are still to be confirmed:
	
		
			   Up to 25,000  25,001 to 50,000  50,001 to 75,000  75,001 to 100,000  Over 100,000  Total 
			 2008-09 138 189 17 0 0 344 
			 2009-10 218 265 15 0 0 498 
			 Total 356 454 32 0 0 842 
		
	
	The following table shows the expected expenditure of early departures by year.
	
		
			million 
			 2008-09 21 
			 2009-10 40 
		
	
	The Civil Service Management Code outlines various categories of early departure under which civil servants can retire and be retired early. These categories provide for the circumstances of departure, and details of the compensation benefits associated with these departures are contained in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The categories are split between early retirement, which applies to staff aged 50 or over, and early severance which applies to staff aged under 50.
	Staff who leave on compulsory redundancy receive benefits under the compulsory early severance or compulsory early retirement categories, depending on their age. Benefits are also payable to those who leave voluntarily under these categories, and under the flexible early severance, flexible early retirement and approved early retirement categories.
	Departments meet the full costs of early departure. This includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.

Tornado GR4

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) aircrew and  (b) ground crew members of the Royal Air Force serving with a Tornado GR4 front line squadron have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on numbers of RAF air and ground crew personnel who may have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, on average, Tornado squadrons spend two months out of every 14 deployed on Operation TELIC.

Trident

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the statement by the then Foreign Secretary on 14 March 2007,  Official Report, column 309, on Trident, what reports his Department has made on the Trident programme in the last six months; and when he plans to make the next regular report to Parliament.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr Davies) gave on 20 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 671-2W to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr Davies).

Trident Submarines

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the available skills base required for the trident nuclear submarine replacement programme; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: MOD recognises that building the skills required, both in the Department and in industry, to successfully deliver the Trident nuclear submarine replacement programme in the future will be challenging.
	Initial work is underway to identify the necessary future skills base, building on and learning from experience with the astute programme.
	An initial audit of the projected skills requirements of the MOD's Future Submarines Directorate for the life of the programme has been undertaken and actions are underway to address its recommendations. These include a significantly increased graduate recruitment and post graduate training programme in the nuclear area, robust succession planning and a significantly increased programme of advanced modern apprenticeships.
	We are working closely with Cogent, the Sector Skills Council that covers the nuclear industry, and with the industrial supply chain, including BAE Systems Submarines, Rolls-Royce and Babcock Maritime to address and promote an adequate skills base for the life of the programme. We also continue to work closely with the United States on this issue.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The information requested for absence  (a) can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department for Transport was established following machinery of government changes in May 2002. Sickness absence is monitored by the central Department and its agencies on a monthly basis. All figures are shown in average working days lost (AWDL):
	
		
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  1 April 2007 to  31 March 2008  2010-11 Cabinet  Office target 
			 DfTc 5.9 5.2 5.0 5.5 5.5 5.4 3.7 
			 DSA 12.7 15.0 13.1 13.7 15.0 14.3 10.0 
			 DVLA 12.7 13.2 14.0 13.1 13.1 13.0 9.2 
			 GCDA 11.0 9.6 6.4 12.2 8.8 8.6 6.7 
			 HA 8.1 6.9 5.8 6.4 8.7 9.4 5.0 
			 MCA 8.4 6.3 7.3 7.1 7.8 6.1 5.0 
			 VCA 5.7 5.2 5.4 5.4 4.3 5.2 5.0 
			 VOSA 9.0 9.1 8.9 9.1 11.4 10.7 7.4 
			 DFT 10.2 10.7 10.4 10.2 11.0 10.8 7.5 
		
	
	The figures to 2006 have been previously published in the National Audit Office Report: The management of staff sickness absence in the Department for Transport and its agencies. The figures are based on an agreed departmental reporting methodology. Figures for 2007 onwards are in accordance with the Cabinet Office reporting methodology introduced for all Government Departments.

Departmental Information Officers

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers were employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and what the total budget for press and communications in his Department was in each year.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport and Executive agencies employ press officers, who liaise with media on behalf of Ministers. The average full time equivalent (FTE) number of staff employed on press officer activities are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Staff FTE 
			  Department for Transport  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 DFT Central 12.7 13.8 13.8 13 14.6 13.8 
			 Driving Standards Agency 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 7 7 7.5 7 7 5 
			 Highways Agency 6 6 6 6.8 11.1 12.2 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (1)1 1 2 2 2 2 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 
			 (1) VOSA were the Vehicle Inspectorate in this fiscal year. 
		
	
	The Department's major areas of press and communications spend were in support of our marketing activities on the THINK! road safety campaign, Act on CO2 campaign, Concessionary Bus Fares campaign, aviation security and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's continuous registration campaign. Figures for the Department and Executive agencies since the 2002-03 fiscal year are outlined as follows.
	
		
			  Marketing costs () 
			  Department for Transport  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 DFT Central 17,600,000 16,400,000 16,200,000 20,400,000 26,500,000 26,700,000 
			 Driving Standards Agency n/a 1,276,000 985,000 782,000 1,150,000 2,174,000 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 9,461,000 13,710,000 10,946,000 9,256,000 9,730,000 10,400,000 
			 Highways Agency 411,000 1,696,000 2,347,000 3,146,000 2,400,000 1,600,000 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 44,000 28,000 45,000 25,000 (1) 57,000 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1,141,000 1,322,000 1,102,000 1,262,000 1,560,000 1,075,000 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 39,000 43,000 40,000 37,000 22,900 80,500 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 0 0 0 0 60,000 171,800 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost  Note: Figure from May 2002 because of accounting changes

Driving Standards Agency: Training

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many managers in the Driving Standards Agency have attended horse whispering courses; and at what cost;
	(2)  what the content is of the horse whispering courses that managers in the Driving Standards Agency have attended; and what the training objectives are for those managers to attend such courses.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 10 November 2008
	 Five managers from the Driving Standards Agency attended a two day course on leadership, communication and management skills, organised by The Beyond Partnership. The total cost of the course was 7,000 plus VAT, including overnight accommodation.

Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available runway alternation at Heathrow Airport has been  (a) fully and  (b) partially suspended (i) overall and (ii) during the morning peak.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 25 November 2008
	Figures are collected by BAA, and are expressed in terms of the percentage of flights that arrive outside of alternation, on a monthly basis.
	Runway alternation during the hours of 6 am to 7 am takes place on a trial basis, and formed part of the Adding Capacity at Heathrow airport consultation. However the statistics do not take account of this i.e. flights that arrive outside of alternation during 6 am to 7 am are included in the figures.
	The statistics also include periods such as September and October 2006 where alternation was not possible because of runway and maintenance works.
	
		
			  Month  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 January 4.2 5.1 2.3 9.9 9 5.4 4.3 7.5 3.3 7.5 7.5 
			 February 2.2 1.6 2.3 5.9 10.6 2.7 7 8.8 5.4 4 4 
			 March 2.6 0.7 4.4 3 4.4 3 5 3.1 16 4.6 4.6 
			 April 3.5 2.5 1.1 1.9 3.1 7.4 3.4 3 3.8 4.4 2.9 
			 May 0.5 0.9 0.8 2.6 3.5 3.9 10.7 3.9 8.1 6.6 4.7 
			 June 3.6 0.7 1.3 2.4 3.5 5.2 3 3.6 4.3 10.1 4.9 
			 July 0.9 4.2 3.3 5 6.2 4.3 2.3 4.3 7 6.4 7.6 
			 August 0.8 0.7 4 4  3.3 6.3 6.2 6.3 6.2 8.3 
			 September 0.7 2.7 4.9 5 3.8 9.5 4.4 8.2 40.2 3.3 4.3 
			 October 4.9 2 4 6.4 5.8 6.5 10.6 6.3 50.4 3.1 5.9 
			 November 4 1.4 4.2 2.2 8.9 9.7 7.2 6.4 74.3 6.2  
			 December 2.7 1.5 5.5 2.1 3.2 6.9 4.4 4 11.9 11.2

Roads: Closures

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was to his Department of the objections to the stopping up order at the highway between the Knapp and Castle Street, Dursley resulting in an enquiry having to be held.

Paul Clark: The Stopping Up Order between The Knapp and Castle street, Dursley did not result in a Public Inquiry being held.
	The Order was made by the Secretary of State on 5 November 2008 following a sole objection which was not made by a local authority or statutory utility supplier. The Secretary of State was satisfied that because of the special circumstances of the case, the holding of a Public Inquiry was unnecessary (Town and Country Planning Act 1990 S252 (5) refers). The Secretary of State subsequently took a decision to make the Order following the consideration of the written representations of the objector and the applicant. A copy of the decision letter was copied to the relevant parties on 5 November 2008.
	No records of costs incurred by the Department are held in connection with the processing of an application for a Stopping Up Order, including for those which attract objections and which are dealt with either through a written representations procedure of by the holding of a Public Local Inquiry.

Departmental Civil Servants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General how many civil servants have been employed by each of the Attorney-General's Office's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servantsalthough civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office Public Bodies publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
	Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor General how much  (a) the Attorney-General's Office and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The Attorney General's Office has not incurred any publicity costs. Costs for advertising are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Advertising Costs AGO 
			   
			 1997-98 (1) 
			 1998-99 1 
			 1999-00 2 
			 2000-01 5 
			 2001-02 1 
			 2002-03  
			 2003-04  
			 2004-05  
			 2005-06  
			 2006-07  
			 Total 9 
			 (1) Accounting records are held back to 1998-99; the costs of providing this information prior to this would be disproportionate. 
		
	
	No expenditure has been incurred by the NFSA on publicity and advertising since its establishment as an Executive Agency of the Attorney General's Office on 1 October 2008.

Fraud

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria are used to determine whether a fraud case is prosecuted by the  (a) Serious Fraud Office and  (b) Fraud Prosecution Service.

Vera Baird: holding answer 23 October 2008
	Serious Fraud Office and Fraud Prosecution Service decisions on whether or not to prosecute an offence, of any kind, are taken in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
	Cases must meet one or more of the following criteria: the allegations involve a loss, or risk of loss more than 750,000 for the Fraud Prosecution Service or in excess of 1 million for the Serious Fraud Office; there is a national publicity and/or wide spread public concern; highly specialised knowledge is required; a significant element of the case involves inquiries in a foreign jurisdiction.

Agriculture: Subsidies

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many holdings claimed payments under the single payment scheme in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by holdings of  (a) less than one hectare,  (b) between one and five hectares,  (c) between five and 20 hectares,  (d) between 20 and 50 hectares,  (e) between 50 and 100 hectares and  (f) more than 100 hectares.

Jane Kennedy: The Rural Payments Agency is the accredited Paying Agency for the Common Agricultural Policy within England and, as such, does not hold information for Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claimants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The following table shows the number of claims paid by holding size for English SPS claimants in 2007.
	
		
			  Size group  Number 
			  0.99ha 1,488 
			 1ha  4.99ha 14,234 
			 5ha  19.99ha 24,029 
			 20ha  49.99ha 21,271 
			 50ha  99.99ha 18,253 
			 ≥100ha 24,666 
			 Total 103,941

Agriculture: Subsidies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which commoners' associations that were previously responsible for the operation of the Single Farm Payment are now no longer carrying out that function.

Jane Kennedy: The data requested is not held centrally and therefore to answer the question would incur disproportionate cost to the Department.

Agriculture: Subsidies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Minchinhampton Commoners' Association on the operation of the single farm payment scheme on the common.

Jane Kennedy: The Minchinhampton Commoners Association's case has been analysed in great detail. Unfortunately the Minchinhampton Commoners Association fails to meet the specific criteria which allows Commoners Associations to claim the single payment scheme payment.
	Until such time as the Minchinhampton Commoners Association provides evidence that it meets the criteria we are unable to take any further action.
	I am, however, content to meet the MCA to discuss their concerns.

Air Pollution: Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which areas around Heathrow breach the emission limits contained in the EU Air Quality Directive which are due to come into force in 2010.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Council Directive 2008/50/EC on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe consolidates existing EU legislation and must be transposed into national legislation by 10 June 2010.
	Over the past 10 years the quality of our air has improved and, apart from some hotspots alongside busy roads in major cities, we are meeting our current objectives for all pollutants in 99 per cent. of the UK. Nitrogen dioxide remains the main pollutant of concern around Heathrow. Under existing and new EU legislation, the limit value for nitrogen dioxide comes into force in 2010.
	Monitoring data shows that in the Heathrow area there were exceedences of the annual limit value (40 microgrammes per metre cubed) in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The following table gives annual average measurements for the two national network sites in the Heathrow area:
	
		
			  Annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentration  (micrograms per metre cubed) 
			   2005  2006  2007 
			 London Hillingdon 45 49 45 
			 London Harlington 38 37 37 
		
	
	The Harlington site is closer to the airport, but does not show exceedences of the limit value. The Hillingdon site is around 30metres from the M4 motorway. The precise location of all of the monitoring sites in the national network can be found at:
	www.bv-aurnsiteinfo.co.uk/.
	UK ambient air quality monitoring data can be accessed at:
	www.airquality.co.uk.
	The new directive provides in Article 22 for postponement of attainment deadlines for meeting the limit values for nitrogen dioxide for five years (until 2015). This reflects the challenges faced across EU member states in meeting the current deadlines. Current projections show that we are unlikely to meet the 2010 deadline in some parts of the UK. The UK is, therefore, likely to submit an application to secure additional time to meet the limit value.
	Securing such postponement of attainment deadlines is subject to submission of detailed plans that will need to satisfy the Commission that the limit values can be achieved by the extended deadlines. We are determined to tackle remaining hotspots of pollution, and to meet our EU obligations.

Animals: Infectious Diseases

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the future plans are for the Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information surveillance systems.

Jane Kennedy: The voluntary DACTARI (dog and cat travel and risk information) system for reporting exotic diseases diagnosed in companion animals provides a formal surveillance system for monitoring the number of cases of Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Dirofilariasis. Data on the incidence of these diseases is collected and my Department, in conjunction with the Animal Health Agency, is looking at how to best record and update this information on the DEFRA website.

Beekeeping

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been provided by his Department to support voluntary bee-keeping groups in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: No direct funding is made available specifically for beekeeping groups, but as part of the bee health programme undertaken by the National Bee Unit DEFRA provides a free advisory and inspection service, including training and education, for all beekeepers. The overall cost of the programme is 1.3 million per annum in England.

Bees

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent guidance his Department has provided to  (a) hobbyist and  (b) commercial bee-keepers on (i) management of healthy hives and (ii) detection and reporting of bee diseases.

Jane Kennedy: The National Bee Unit (NBU) provides a free comprehensive training and education programme for all beekeepers to enable them to develop their skills and become more self-reliant in combating disease problems through improved bee husbandry. In 2008, beekeepers in England benefited from nearly 23,000 colony inspections and an extensive programme of training, including over 800 technical events to date, delivered by the NBU to help improve disease control through good apiary management.

Bees

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) hobbyist and  (b) commercial bee-keepers there are in each local authority area in England; and how many hives each type of bee-keeper has.

Jane Kennedy: Details of beekeepers and their colonies are not recorded by local authority area. Details of those registered on the National Bee Unit's Beebase database are shown by county in the following table. As registration is voluntary, actual numbers are likely to be significantly higher. An Economic Evaluation of bee health carried out by ADAS Consulting Ltd in 2001, estimated that there were about 33,000 beekeepers and 230,000 colonies of bees in England of which less than 1 per cent. keep bees on a commercial basis.
	
		
			  County  Number of beekeepers  Number of colonies 
			 County Durham 144 594 
			 Cumbria 379 1,384 
			 Greater Manchester 225 846 
			 Lancashire 300 1,046 
			 Merseyside 145 594 
			 Northumberland 218 1,055 
			 Tyne and Wear 86 339 
			 Avon 340 1,039 
			 Cheshire 246 1,330 
			 Gloucestershire 396 2,664 
			 Hereford and Worcestershire 526 2,401 
			 Shropshire 540 2,345 
			 Staffordshire 267 1,237 
			 Warwickshire 188 1,654 
			 West Midlands 258 2,352 
			 Derbyshire 232 718 
			 East Yorkshire 183 1,336 
			 North Yorkshire 609 2,323 
			 Nottinghamshire 175 490 
			 South Yorkshire 138 635 
			 West Yorkshire 294 1,087 
			 Bedfordshire 230 1,259 
			 Cambridgeshire 460 1,762 
			 Essex 524 2,948 
			 Hertfordshire 359 1,872 
			 Leicestershire 258 1,421 
			 Lincolnshire 404 2,149 
			 Norfolk 537 3,611 
			 Rutland 28 111 
			 Suffolk 470 2,404 
			 Cornwall 516 2,996 
			 Devon 967 5,150 
			 Scilly Isles 10 (1) 
			 Somerset 765 3,576 
			 Berkshire 225 1,099 
			 Buckinghamshire 214 1,371 
			 Dorset 453 2,771 
			 Hampshire 648 3,435 
			 Isle of Wight 64 392 
			 Northamptonshire 185 1,304 
			 Oxfordshire 292 1,752 
			 Wiltshire 307 1,383 
			 East Sussex 275 1,058 
			 Greater London 532 1,628 
			 Kent 578 3,307 
			 Surrey 465 1,581 
			 West Sussex 317 1,728 
			 Total 15,972 79,537 
			 (1) Not known.

Bees: Disease Control

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to find alternative treatments for  (a) pyrethroid resistance,  (b) colony collapse disorder and  (c) varroa in bees in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: When inspectors find pyrethroid resistance in samples of Varroa, they advise beekeepers on alternative methods of control, including alternative chemical treatments and husbandry techniques. Information is also provided in published literature available to beekeepers and on the National Bee Unit's website, Beebase. Although the cause of colony collapse disorder in the USA is unknown, we do not have evidence to suggest that the losses experienced in the UK have a similar cause.
	Varroa is almost ubiquitous. Inspectors provide advice during visits, through training courses and through published literature on alternatives to chemical controls for Varroa. DEFRA has funded research into a possible biocontrol for Varroa; discussions are now taking place on how to take this work forward.

Bees: Disease Control

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of levels of  (a) pyrethroid resistance,  (b) colony collapse disorder and  (c) varroa in bees in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Information on levels of pyrethroid resistance is available on the National Bee Unit's Beebase website.
	www.Beebase.csl.gov.uk
	The information has not been collected for each year since 1997; a survey to determine the extent of resistance ran from 2000 to 2005.
	In the absence of a clear cause for the syndrome dubbed colony collapse disorder in the USA and the lack of trade links between the USA and the UK DEFRA does not believe that a similar syndrome occurs in the UK. However, the level of colony loss, especially over-winter, is a concern.
	Annual percentage losses recorded by inspectors since 1999 are as follows (figures for 1997 and 1998 are not available). Some 15 per cent. of colonies is inspected each year:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 1999 5.6 
			 2000 5.9 
			 2001 4.1 
			 2002 4.9 
			 2003 6.2 
			 2004 6.9 
			 2005 8.6 
			 2006 11.1 
			 2007 11.6 
			 2008 11.9 
		
	
	In respect of Varroa findings, I would refer to the answer given on 2 April 2008,  Official Report, column 912W.

Brussels

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by  (a) air and  (b) rail;
	(2)  how many  (a) rail and  (b) plane tickets to Brussels his Department paid for visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007.

Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Carbon Emissions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department and its agencies have made of the effects of emissions of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls into the air on public health.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The independent expert advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), advises the Department and other government departments and agencies, including the Health Protection Agency, on the health effects of emissions of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. The Committee recommends the levels for the tolerable daily intake (TDI), which is the amount that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
	The TDI is expressed in World Health Organisation (WHO) - toxic equivalents per kilogram body weight per day (TEQ/kg bw/day). The WHO-TEQs are an internationally recognised method for considering the toxicity of mixtures of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, by comparing them to that of the most thoroughly studied dioxin, Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, based on considering their relative potencies.
	The COT has recommended a tolerable daily intake for dioxins of two picograms WHO-TEQ/kg body weight/day based on the most sensitive effect in laboratory animals, namely, adverse effects on the developing foetus resulting from exposure in utero. As this was the most sensitive effect it will protect against the risks of other adverse effects including carcinogenicity. A copy of the full statement has been placed in the Library and is available at:
	http://cot.food.gov.uk/cotstatements/cotstatementsyrs/cotstatements2001/dioxinsstate
	The majority, more than 90 per cent. of non-occupational human exposure to dioxins occurs via the diet, with animal-based foodstuffs like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products being particularly important. Limited exposure may also occur via inhalation of air or ingestion of soil depending on circumstances. Provided that the strict emission limits on modern incinerators are adhered to, inhalation of dioxins is not a significant source of exposure for the general public. It has been estimated for example that current levels of dioxin emissions from incinerators accounts for less than 1 per cent of UK emissions of dioxins. This data is available in a comprehensive review carried out for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2004 entitled Review of Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management: Municipal Solid Waste and Similar Wastes. This is available through the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk

Departmental Civil Servants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: With a few exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servantsalthough civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office 'Public Bodies' publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
	Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations provided media monitoring services to  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department in each of the last three years; and what the cost was of each such contract.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) has provided media monitoring services as follows to DEFRA:
	
		
			
			 2006-07 54,150 
			 2007-08 62,700 
			 2008-09 70,000 
		
	
	Durrants provides DEFRA with a daily cuttings service at the following cost per calendar year:
	
		
			   
			 2006 137,911 
			 2007 152,397 
			 2008 to date 136,777 
		
	
	DEFRA also subscribes to the Press Association newswire monitoring service at the following cost:
	
		
			
			 2006-07 4,237 
			 2007-08 4,402 
			 2008-09 4,391 
		
	
	In addition since May 2008 DEFRA has used the transcript service of Wordsworth at a cost to date of 8,705.
	All figures quoted exclude VAT
	Information related to Media Monitoring costs for agencies of DEFRA and NDPBs sponsored by DEFRA could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for each of the sites owned by his Department which are registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The land recorded on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land has been identified as no longer required in the delivery of Departmental business. Unless there is a demand from another Government Department, in which case the land would be transferred, the primary intention is to seek the earliest possible disposal and maximise the value for money from the sale of surplus assets, subject to prevailing market conditions and planning and development constraints.
	Listed as follows is a summary of the surplus land held by the core Department published on the public register as at September 2008 and the status of each site is noted.
	Due to the surplus nature of the land, no construction projects are currently proposed and it is not anticipated that the land will return to public sector use. The return to beneficial use, and the nature of that use, will be linked to disposal.
	Where it is consider appropriate and the holding is capable of short term beneficial occupation and use pending disposal the Department has sought to mitigate property holding costs by short term commercial lettings.
	Where appropriate to do so the Department seeks to influence future beneficial use. There are two sites where the future beneficial use for residential development has been identified and this is being explored prior to disposal via the property market. These sites are recognised in the Departmental contribution to the Government's affordable homes targets.
	The two sites in Perthshire are legacy sites which demonstrated long term beneficial use for residential development, however changes in local planning framework policy and long term housing demand means that the land is now unlikely to be designated to meet future housing need and disposal in existing use is being pursued.
	
		
			  County  Town  Holding body  Description  Area (ha)  Plans or proposals  Construction projects  Returned to use 
			 Cambridgeshire Boxworth DEFRA (Core Department) Boxworth Farm 340 Sold None proposed Retained in agricultural use 
			 North Yorkshire Thirsk DEFRA (Core Department) Former Sowerby Buffer Depot 1.02 Exploring the potential for residential development on the site as part of maximising disposal proceeds None proposed Surplus of departmental requirements(1) 
			 Nottinghamshire Mansfield DEFRA (Core Department) Gleadthorpe Farm 175 Sold None proposed Retained in agricultural use 
			 Tyne and Wear North Tyneside DEFRA (Core Department) Four parcels of land at Long Benton 2.01 Planning permission has lapsed for residential development having failed to sell the land for housing. Reconsidering alternative disposal options None proposed Surplus of departmental requirements 
			 Perth and Kinross Almondbank DEFRA (Core Department) Almondbank 4 (Former Buffer Depot) 9.28 None at present, the site is let pending sale None proposed Surplus of departmental requirements 
			 Perth and Kinross Almondbank DEFRA (Core Department) Almondbank 5 (Former Buffer Depot) 5.00 Under Offer None proposed Surplus of departmental requirements 
			 (1) The properties have been identified as not being required for the delivery of departmental business and are therefore surplus to Government use. Return to beneficial use will be dependent upon the use applied by a new owner.  Note: Based on the September 2008 published Register Entry for the Department.

Departmental Marketing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of Government-commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department.

Huw Irranca-Davies: All major DEFRA advertising campaigns are commissioned through the Central Office of Information (COI). Each campaign is evaluated against agreed objectives using a combination of pre, post and tracking research. This typically involves measuring website hits, levels of awareness and shifts in attitudes and behaviours. COI is able to use its unique position to negotiate significant discounts when purchasing media, ensuring the best return on departmental investment.
	For DEFRA's main campaignAct On CO2the website is performing well with a good return on investment against the current media spend. To date we have had over 270,000 unique visitors (approx 135,000 a month). This compares favourably with other government campaigns with a similar annual media spend which tend to have unique visits of between 100,000 and 120,000 a month.
	The Act On CO2 advice line (delivered by EST) also took 181,000 calls in September and October, compared to 60,000 over the same period in 2007.
	Awareness of the phrase 'Act On CO2' has increased by 8 pecentage points from 29 per cent. in summer 2008 to 37 per cent. in 2008. Just over 40 per cent. claim to be aware of the logo, which is perceived by the majority to be from Government. This represents an increase of 17 percentage pointsthe highest recognition to date.
	In July 2008, results showed that over 60 per cent. of the public had or were planning to take actions to reduce their CO2 emissions as a result of the campaignan increase of 10 per cent., on findings following the summer 2007 campaign phase.

Departmental Pay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes.

Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Departmental Pensions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department and its agencies are members of the  (a) Classic,  (b) Classic Plus,  (c) Nuvos and  (d) Premium civil service pension schemes.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table provides the figures for each organisation. Data for Core DEFRA, RPA, CEFAS and VLA are from the pension administrator's database, data for CSL was taken from their internal HR database. All data is as of the last (October) payroll update.
	
		
			   Number  Percentage 
			  Core DEFRA (including Animal Health, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine and Fisheries Agency and the Government Decontamination Service)   
			 Total Staff 5,016  
			 Classic 2,833 56.5 
			 Classic Plus 254 5.1 
			 Premium 1,518 30.3 
			 Nuvos 210 4.2 
			
			  RPA   
			 Total Staff 3,555  
			 Classic 1,782 50.1 
			 Classic Plus 138 3.9 
			 Premium 1,090 30.7 
			 Nuvos 273 7.7 
			
			  CEFAS   
			 Total Staff 889  
			 Classic 364 40.9 
			 Classic Plus 32 3.6 
			 Premium 190 21.4 
			 Nuvos 67 7.5 
			
			  CSL   
			 Total Staff 652  
			 Classic 335 51.4 
			 Classic Plus/Premium 256 39.3 
			 Nuvos 29 4.4 
			
			  VLA   
			 Total Staff 1,342  
			 Classic 711 53.0 
			 Classic Plus 54 4.0 
			 Premium 401 29.9 
			 Nuvos 41 3.1

Departmental Public Relations

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on external  (a) public affairs and  (b) public relations consultants in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 4 November 2008
	In DEFRA, public relations covers a wide range of activity which forms an important element of a broader communications mix. This can include advertising, direct marketing, live events and publications. The following table shows what public relations activity was procured via DEFRA's Communications Directorate since FY 2004-05 using the COI Public Relations Framework.
	
		
			  Financial year  PR agency  Campaign  Expenditure () 
			 2004-05 Amazon PR Sustainable Development 58,788 
			 
			 2005-06 Amazon PR Sustainable Development 67,084 
			  Weber Shandwick Climate Change 86,781 
			 
			 2006-07 EdComs and Blue Rubicon DEFRA Year of Food and Farming 50,872 
			  Amazon PR Sustainable Development 48,973 
			  Trimedia Harrison Cowley ACT ON CO2 campaign 49,250 
			  Amazon PR Sustainable development 48,973 
			 
			 2007-08 Trimedia Harrison Cowley ACT ON CO2 campaign (including a series of regional roadshows) 476,301 
			  Munro and Forster Waste 64,424 
			  Trimedia Climate Change 32,216 
			  Communications UK Champions  
			  EdComs and Blue Rubicon DEFRA Year of Food and Farming 242,578 
			 
			 2008 to September 2009 EDComs and Blue Rubicon DEFRA Year of Food and Farming 28,230 
			  Trimedia Communications UK ACT ON CO2 campaign 78,529 
		
	
	We do not collate expenditure under the heading 'public affairs'.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 489-521, on the Pre-Budget Report, how much of the capital spending amount will be spent on flood defences; when the funding will be available; what type of projects it will be spent on; whether any of the funding in question has already been announced; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Flooding Lessons Learned Review

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions with local authorities have taken place on the Pitt review on flooding.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 November 2008
	The Pitt review proposed significant strengthening of the role of local authorities for flood risk management, including from surface water and groundwater where no one organisation currently takes the lead. In developing the Government response to those proposals, and other recommendations in the review, DEFRA officials have held regular meetings with the Local Government Association and council officers as well as attending conferences and similar events involving local authorities.

Flooding Lessons Learned Review

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department intends to publish its detailed response to the Pitt review on flooding.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 November 2008
	Government's detailed response to the Pitt review will be published shortly.

Forests

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise have been replanted with conifers since 2005, broken down by forest district;
	(2)  what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise are scheduled for replanting with conifers in current management plans, broken down by forest district.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The total area of ancient woodland sites managed by the Forestry Commission is in excess of 50,000 hectares. As of 1 April 2008 31,942 hectares of this was recorded as Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). Since 2005 137 hectares of PAWS sites have been replanted with conifers. This represents 0.4 per cent. of the total area. The area replanted with conifers in each Forest District is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Forest District  Area (hectares) 
			 East Anglia 8 
			 Forest of Dean(1) 0 
			 Kielder Forest 0 
			 North West England 7 
			 New Forest 0 
			 Northants 0 
			 North York Moors 12 
			 Peninsula Forest District 89 
			 Sherwood and Lincolnshire 0 
			 South East England 13 
			 West Midlands 8 
			 (1) The Forest of Dean is classified as ancient woodland but, because of its special history and past patterns of clearance, Natural England has agreed with the Forestry Commission that special arrangements will apply. 
		
	
	Forest Design plans, which include plans for felling and regeneration, are reviewed and revised on a 10-year rolling programme. The areas of planted ancient woodland sites in these plans that are shown as conifer regeneration could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As some of these plans pre-date Keepers of Time: A Statement of Policy for England's Ancient and Native Woodland, many of the proposed activities in these plans will not be implemented. The Forestry Commission's overall objective is to manage ancient woodland sites across the estate to improve their ecological value and ultimately restore them to native woodland.

Pesticides

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department plans to take on pesticide spraying following the recent high court ruling by Mr Justice Collins on the matter.

Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Quarantine

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the quarantine arrangements will be for pet animals entering the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries when the UK derogations expire in 2010; how these requirements will differ between countries identified as having favourable and unfavourable rabies status; what assessment he has made of the Government's policy in comparison with those applied in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The pet movement derogations that apply to the UK as well as to Sweden, Ireland, Malta and Finland are due to expire on 30 June 2010. The extension to the derogations was granted as the European Commission is still considering its position regarding the shape of the Community pet movement rules that will be in place in 2010. DEFRA is currently engaged in discussions with the European Commission, the Department of Health and the other four member states with derogations with regard to our respective positions on pet movement controls come 2010.
	At present, pet animals entering the UK from third countries which are not listed in an Annex to EC Regulation 998/2003 as amended, i.e. the pet passport regulation, are required to be licensed into quarantine for a period of six months. Furthermore, pet animals from other third countries which do not comply with the animal health requirements laid down in that regulation may not freely enter the UK but will either have to remain outside the UK until such time as they meet the requirements in full or be licensed into quarantine in the UK. The regulation also requires that any pet animal entering the European Community from a third country which does not meet the entry requirements shall either be re-exported, kept under official control until such time as it does comply with those requirements or, in the last resort, be put down.
	For the majority of other member states, pet animals from countries not listed in the regulation may enter their territory without the need for quarantine as long as they have met certain pre-entry requirements, including rabies vaccination and a blood test.
	In 2006, my Department carried out a review of the UK rabies import control policies and as part of that review commissioned an independent scientific risk assessment on rabies import controls. This risk assessment has been published on the DEFRA website. The overall conclusion from the review was that our current controls may no longer be proportionate to the risk of rabies entering the UK. No changes have yet been made to our import controls for pets as a result of that review as we are reviewing further evidence to inform our discussions with the European Commission on the shape of the controls that should be in place in 2010.
	We are currently reviewing our position, including a review of published scientific evidence, on what the appropriate entry controls for pets, including those from countries with a less than favourable rabies status, would be for the UK.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the  (a) remuneration and  (b) pension entitlement provided for each board member of the Waste and Resources Action Programme is;
	(2)  what expenditure the Waste and Resources Action Programme has incurred on overseas travel in the last 24 months;
	(3)  how many of the Waste and Resources Action Programme's staff work on issues relating to alternate weekly collections;
	(4)  what guidance the Waste and Resources Action Programme has provided to local authorities on alternate weekly collections since its establishment;
	(5)  what research  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme has commissioned in relation to household waste prevention in the last 12 months;
	(6)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the speeches and presentations made by the representatives of the Waste and Resources Action Programme at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee's conference held in November 2008;
	(7)  pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 401W, on the Waste and Resources Action Programme, whether the liaison activity funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme included liaison with  (a) official representatives of,  (b) hon. Members and  (c) noble Lords from the (i) Conservative, (ii) Labour and (iii) Liberal Democrat political parties;
	(8)  pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1006W, on domestic wastes, what advice the Waste and Resources Action Programme has given to local authorities on any proposed charges for the collection of household waste;
	(9)  what funding his Department has provided for the Waste and Resources Action Programme in each year since its establishment; and what funding has been allocated for each of the next three years.

Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 29 September 2008,  Official Report, columns 2424-25W, on waste disposal: fees and charges, what the penalties are for placing domestic waste in a public, municipal bin.

Jane Kennedy: No such specific penalties exist, however, some such actions may constitute littering or fly-tipping which may in certain circumstances constitute an offence with penalties outlined in the Environmental protection Act 1990.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by her Office in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year.

Tessa Jowell: Since the inception of my office in June 2007 I have had one special adviser post. Two people have filled the role in that time.
	The Prime Minister publishes on annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
	No press officers have been employed by my office since its inception. My press support is provided by the press office of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Public Opinion

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much her Office has spent on  (a) focus groups and  (b) opinion polls in each year since its inception; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: My Office has not spent anything on focus groups or opinion polls since its inception. I estimate that my office will not spend anything on either category in 2008-09.
	Expenditure by the Government Olympic Executive on focus groups and opinion polls will be included in figures provided by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in his answer to your question tabled on 19 November 2008.

Community Development

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many social action projects he has visited in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland and I make various visits to organisations involved in areas associated with social and community activity, mainly in the criminal justice sector. However, since devolution the Department of Social Development has assumed responsibility for most organisations involved in social action activities.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office does not record centrally the rate of staff absence. The following table details the rate of sickness absence and the target rates set in the Northern Ireland Office for which figures are available. The figures given are for the core NIO its Agencies and legal offices combined, as this is how sickness absence is recorded and targets set. The Department does not record centrally the rate of absence or the rate of sickness absence in its non-departmental public bodies. The information not recorded centrally could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Working days lost  per staff year  Target rate set 
			 2000-01 12.8 (1) 
			 2001-02 13.4 (1) 
			 2003-04 14.0 (1) 
			 2004-05 12.6 (1) 
			 2005-06 11.2 11.6 
			 2006-07 11.8 10.4 
			 2007-08 9.9 9.4 
			 2008-09 n/a 8.5 
			 (1) Target rate not set.

Fines: Defaulters

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of admissions to prisons in Northern Ireland resulted from defaulting on fines in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many days were spent in prison by those imprisoned for defaulting on fines in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how long on average those imprisoned for defaulting on fines spent in prison in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Total time spent in prison by fine defaulters (Days)  Average time spent (Days)  Number of receptions of fine defaulters  Fine defaulter receptions as a percentage of total prison receptions 
			 2003 5,539 3.8 1,453 27.4 
			 2004 6,730 4.1 1,647 30.2 
			 2005 7,970 4.4 1,814 30.7 
			 2006 7,980 4.1 1,951 30.1 
			 2007 7,356 4.3 1,724 28.4 
			 Total 35,575 4.1 8,589 29.4 
		
	
	I am committed to improving the enforcement of fines and reducing the number of fine defaulters sent to prison. A reduction in receptions from 1,951 in 2006 to 1,724 in 2007 is welcome and something that I want to build on.
	A reminder scheme to promote prompt payment is being piloted by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Ministry of Justice (Mr. Hanson) and is proving successful. It has already shown a 32 per cent. reduction in the issue of default warrants.
	I recently carried out a public consultation on a range of proposals to tackle fine default. The proposals we have made would ensure courts have all the information they need to set appropriate levels of fine; improve how we enforce fines that are set; and expand the range of options available where people still default on a fine. I am currently considering the responses to the consultation and will announce the outcome shortly.

Community Orders

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of community sentences were breached in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The following table shows the proportions of community sentences that terminated in England and Wales in each of the last five years for positive and negative reasons, including failing to comply with the order and conviction for further offences. Information specifically on the numbers or proportions of 'breaches' which resulted in orders being continued and not terminated is not held centrally. The improvement shown in positive terminations for the community rehabilitation order reflects the fact that this is a pre Criminal Justice Act 2003 sentence and was only given for offences committed before 4 April 2005. Negative terminations tend to occur earlier in the life of an order, leaving a higher proportion of these orders to
	terminate successfully over the course of time. This does not apply to the community punishment order, which is still available for juvenile offenders.
	The information contained in this table can be found in chapter 5 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007 located online at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	
		
			  Termination of court orders by reason: England and Wales 
			   Number of persons and percentages 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Community Rehabilitation Order  
			 Ran their full course 57 56 58 69 77 
			 Ran 1 1 1 1 0 
			 Terminated early for: Good progress 9 9 10 8 6 
			 Failure to comply with requirements 9 10 8 7 6 
			 Conviction of offence 19 18 19 11 6 
			 Other reasons 5 5 5 4 4 
			 All CROs (=100%) 60,427 60,584 50,745 31,216 9,380 
			   
			  Community Rehabilitation Order element of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order  
			 Ran their full course 48 45 45 59 65 
			 Ran 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Terminated early for: Good progress 12 13 12 11 6 
			 Failure to comply with requirements 13 14 13 10 12 
			 Conviction of offence 20 21 23 14 10 
			 Other reasons 7 7 6 5 7 
			 All CROs (=100%) 14,222 14,298 12,607 9,000 3,171 
			   
			  Community Punishment Order  
			 Specified hours completed 68 66 68 62 46 
			 Failure to comply with requirements 12 12 11 14 21 
			 Conviction of an offence 10 11 11 12 10 
			 Other change in circumstances 4 4 3 3 3 
			 Warrant unexecuted 2 3 2 3 5 
			 Other reason 4 4 5 6 16 
			 AIICPOs(=100%) 49,430 51,517 49,081 23,762 9,967 
			   
			  Community Punishment Order element of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order  
			 Specified hours completed 59 57 60 54 40 
			 Failure to comply with requirements 15 15 13 15 20 
			 Conviction of an offence 16 17 18 18 14 
			 Other change in circumstances 4 4 3 4 3 
			 Warrant unexecuted 2 3 2 2 3 
			 Other reason 5 5 5 7 19 
			 AIICPOs(=100%) 14,654 15,159 13,919 6,288 2,510 
			   
			  Community Order  
			 Ran their full course39 47 
			 Terminated early for:  
			 Good progress13 10 
			 Failure to comply with requirements24 22 
			 Conviction of an offence14 12 
			 Other reasons10 10 
			 All Community orders (=100%)70,577 113,829 
			  Note: The figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Copyright: Crime

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on penalties for  (a) physical and  (b) online copyright infringement; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

CORE Electoral Database

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) timetable and  (b) budget is for the work underway on the CORE electoral database; and whether the (i) timescale and (ii) budget are in compliance with original estimates and targets.

Michael Wills: The CORE project remains within its published budget of 9.7 million capital, with a further 2 million non-capital funds being added during the current spending round to support the appointment of the CORE Keeper. The cost of developing CORE from its launch to date, excluding staff costs, is 3,079,648.
	The CORE project was launched in January 2004 with initial delivery of the project being envisaged in 2006-07. Following project initiation a detailed planning exercise was undertaken and this timescale was subsequently revised to reflect issues highlighted by the political parties in relation to the format and completeness of data held at that time on electoral registers. By undertaking work to introduce electoral registration data standards, CORE should provide a more reliable mechanism for donation checking. Following consultation in 2006-07, and to ensure the system developed would be as rigorous as possible, the scope of the project was expanded and associated timescales amended to accommodate the enhanced functionality now required (including some anti-fraud measures). Current time scales indicate that the full system should be operational in 2011.
	The data standards were introduced following a direction from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Bridget Prentice) made under section 52 (1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c2) (as amended). The direction requires all Electoral Registration Officers in Great Britain to ensure that any electoral registration data held on electronic systems is formatted in compliance with the standards by 1 December 2009.
	Local authorities have been allocated grants in aid to support the implementation, and the total amount made available is 2.4 million.
	Another main strand of work is the gathering of user requirements that is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2009. This work has been ongoing throughout 2008 including meetings with relevant organisations, and 13 workshops involving 280 electoral administrators in England, Wales and Scotland.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice was created on 9 May 2007 bringing together the former Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and National Offender Management Service, including the prison and probation services and the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. Figures for the National Offender Management Service and HM Prison Service were the responsibility of the Home Office until the creation of the Ministry of Justice.
	
		
			  April 2007 to March 2008 
			  Agency  Sick days  Average  sick days  Government target 
			 Former DCA HQ 17915.4 8.0 7.5 
			 Tribunals Service 28056.2 10.7 7.5 
			 Her Majesty's Court Service 215992.9 11.2 7.5 
			 OCJR 12365 7.1 7.5 
			 HM Prison Service 598868 11.7 11 
		
	
	The MOJ does not hold sickness absence information for its non-departmental public bodies centrally and can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	The Ministry is currently undertaking a review of attendance management and is committed to enabling the highest level of attendance at work as possible while ensuring that employees who are unwell are treated with understanding and sensitivity.

Departmental Credit Cards

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many credit cards have been issued to staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007 bringing together three separate card schemes; Her Majesty's Court Service, the Tribunal Service and those agencies-previously under the Home Office.
	Since its creation in May 2007 the one scheme has issued and maintained 5,921 cards.
	Of this number 1,523 of the cardholders are distinguishable as belonging to the Department's agencies.

Departmental Early Retirement

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many employees in his Department have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost.

Shahid Malik: For the purposes of this response we have taken the number of the staff who have retired before their normal pension age, typically aged 60.
	Between 9 May 2007 and 31 October 2008 the number of employees who have taken early retirement, on this basis is 525.
	The Department does not differentiate between the cost of departure under severance and early retirement. Therefore, providing the total expenditure would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the reasons are for the delay in replying to a freedom of information request about deaths in prisons made by the Howard League for Penal Reform in May 2008.

David Hanson: The information the Howard League for Penal Reform Requested has now been provided in full.
	My Department remains absolutely committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act as completely and consistently as possible. In this instance, regrettably, the delay was caused by the accumulation of a backlog of requests within the Department. Resources within the relevant business area have been realigned to eliminate this as soon as possible.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice was formed on 9 May 2007. The numbers of press officers is 34 at a cost of 1,916,347. The press office operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dealing with all media relations for the department from the international, national and regional media.
	The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest departments in Government. It's right that the public know and understand the work of the MoJ and its agencies and how taxpayers' money is being spent. Communications, including the work of the press office, is an important element of this.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Straw) on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 863W for the number of special advisers employed.

Departmental Marketing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of Government-commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice, places most of its recruitment advertising on the Civil Service Recruitment Website as the site of first choice for central Government recruitment.
	Where specific vacancy advertising is required the Department will use media most likely to attract people with the necessary skills, giving due regard to cost effectiveness. Digital advertising is now the preferred option for advertising externally and banner press advertisements are used for SCS posts in accordance with Cabinet Office Guidelines.
	Marketing campaign advertising evaluation in my Department is standard practice and is subject to strict propriety guidance.

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Maria Eagle: Funding for the Ministry of Justice non-departmental public bodies has been agreed for 2008-09 only. Funding for 2009-10 and 2010-11 has not yet been agreed at this time. I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 745-46W, for funding details for 2008-09.
	Remit details for each body can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  MOJ Executive non-departmental public bodies 
			  NDPB  Remit 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority CICA is the Government body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales. It is part of the Ministry of Justice and also provides a service on behalf of the Scottish Government. 
			 Judicial Appointments Commission The JAC is the independent public body that selects and recommends candidates for judicial office in England and Wales. It was set up by the Constitutional Reform Act in 2005. 
			 Legal Services Commission The LSC runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales, providing information, advice and legal representation to help about two million people each year get access to justice. The Community Legal Service helps people with civil legal problems such as family breakdown, debt, asylum and housing. The Criminal Defence Service helps people who are under police investigation or facing criminal charges. 
			 Office of the Information Commissioner The ICO is the UK's independent authority set up to promote access to official information and to protect personal information. The ICO enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Environmental Information Regulations and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations. 
			 Criminal Cases Review Commission The CCRC is the independent public body set up to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Commission assesses whether convictions or sentences should be referred to a court of appeal. 
			 Parole Board The Parole Board for England and Wales is an independent public body that works with its criminal justice partners to protect the public by making risk assessments about prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released into the community and must remain in or be returned to custody. 
			 Youth Justice Board (England and Wales) The YJB is responsible for overseeing the youth justice system in England and Wales. It works to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18 and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.

Departmental Pay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes.

Shahid Malik: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Departmental Press Releases

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice was established on 9 May 2007. In 2007-08, my Department has released 196 press notices of a departmental nature and 145 releases announcing judicial appointments. The press office operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dealing with all media relations for the Department from the international, national and regional media.
	The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest departments in Government. It's right that the public know and understand the work of the MoJ and its agencies and how taxpayers' money is being spent. Communications, including the work of the press office, is an important element of this.

Departmental Public Opinion

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on  (a) focus groups and  (b) opinion polls in each year since its inception; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: Since May 2007 the Ministry of Justice spent 498,241 on focus groups, and 751,682 on opinion polls. We plan to spend a further 6,500 in 2008-09. The following table provides details of focus groups and opinion polls carried out by the Ministry of Justice since inception in 2007, and any current estimates for such in 2008-09.
	
		
			  Ministry of Justice focus groups and opinion polls 
			   
			  Commissioned research  Planned research 
			  Name of the opinion poll/focus group  Name of firm carrying out the work  Opinion poll  Focus group  Total cost in 2007-08 (exc VAT)  Total cost in 2007-08 (inc VAT)  Total cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT)  Total cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT)  Total estimated cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT)  Total estimated cost in 2008-09 (inc VAT) 
			 HMCS Court User Survey MORI Yes  (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 Witness and Victim Experience Survey (WAVES) Ipsos MORI Yes  485,990 571,038 
			 Court Service Survey n/aconducted internally Yes  0 0 
			 Constitution Directorate tracker survey Ipsos MORI Yes  38,300 45,000 
			 General Public Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (Capibus survey) Ipsos Mori Yes  22,280 26,179 
			 Legal Professionals Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (online survey) Ipsos Mori Yes  7,800 9,165 
			 Health and Social Care Professionals Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (paper survey) Distribution through Binleys Survey conducted by Ipsos MORI Yes  24,278 28,468 
			 Survey Draft Public Law Outline Not applicable conducted internally Yes  0 0 
			 The Pro Bono Work of Legal Executives ECOTEC Yes  39,813 46,780 
			 Testing of language and understanding of Departmental Strategic Objectives GfK NOP Yes  6,270 7,367 
			 Employment tribunal mediation pilot Westminster University, fieldwork subcontracted to BMRB Yes  43,800 51,465 
			 Local Face to Face satisfaction Survey Not applicable conducted internally Yes  0 0 
			 Local Victim and Witness Survey Not applicableconducted internally by Witness Service Yes  0 0 
			 Local Student Confidence in CJS Not applicable conducted internally Yes  0 0 
			 Tribunal Service Customer Satisfaction Survey FDS International Limited Yes  (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 Citizenship Insight Project   Yes (2)90,610  
			 Customer Expectation Survey   Yes (2)37,000  
			 Research on development of the Before The Event legal expenses insurance   Yes (2)20,011  
			 Improving public confidence in the Criminal Justice System; inform, persuade and remind.   Yes (2)19,800  
			 Justice and Schools   Yes (2)10,000  
			 Community Justice Merthyr Tydfil   Yes (2)24,000  
			 on consultation paper on Inspection powers and funding arrangements of the Information Arranged internally  Yes n/a n/a 0 0 6,500 6,500 
			 Offender management strategy: practitioner research PWC No39,871  0 0 
			 Public Confidence in the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales: June 2008 PWC Yes Yes   30,975  0 0 
			 Assessing implementation of the pilot of the Stable  Acute dynamic risk assessment tool NatCen  Yes x5   106,935 125,860   
			 Frontline Matters information architecture project: website Cogapp  Yes 175 206 
			 Literature hierarchy project: CJS publications Bang  Yes x3   2,400 2,820   
			 Community understanding of high risk offenders communities, hostels etc TNS  Yes   12,000
			 Your Justice Your World websiteusability research Edcoms Yes11,290
			 Omnibus survey: module on Non-Resident Parental Contact Office for National Statistics Yes  55,231  16,630  0 0 
			 Process assessment of revised public law protocol guidance   Yes   104,464
			 Use of family (and civil) Sharia Law in the UK  Yes  ¦  (3) (3) (3) (3) 
			 Baseline for evaluation of impact of legal services reform on users and suppliers  Yes(3) (3) (3) (3) 
			 Increasing efficacy in commission-ing Psychiatric reportsgood practice guidance   Yes   (3) (3) (3) (3) 
			 (1) Costing information is not supplied as this is commercial in confidence. This survey is subject to periodic re-tendering and release of the costings would weaken the Department's negotiating position. (2) April to November 2007 spend. (3) Commercial in Confidence.  Notes: 1. Current projects planned but not commissioned are all commercial in confidence; as disclosing budget may impact or tendering process. 2. Costs refer to total spend within year for complete project which often includes more than just focus groups or opinion polls (or other deliberative research).

Departmental Recruitment

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies spent on (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff in each of the last five financial years; which recruitment consultants were employed for those purposes in each of those years; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information is as follows.
	 (a) Ministry of Justice HQ
	Recording of costs for (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff are combined in the Department's financial system and include campaigns run by the Department on behalf of Her Majesty's Courts Service.
	Data for each year is shown in table 1 as follows.
	 (b) Executive agencies:
	Recording of costs for (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff are combined in the agencies financial systems, with the exception of Tribunal Services.
	Data for each year is shown in table 2 as follows.
	
		
			  Table 1: Ministry of Justice 
			   2003-04( 1)  2004-05  2005-06( 2)  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Core DepartmentConsultantsConsultantsConsultantsConsultantsConsultants 
			 HQ 42,000 KMC International Ltd.   164,000 Capita Resourcing Ltd.; KMC International Ltd.; Penna   284,000 Tribal Resourcing; The Whitehall and Industry Group; Odger Ray Berndtson, Quatrosystems; Capita Resourcing Ltd. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Executive agencies 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Executive agenciesConsultantsConsultantsConsultantsConsultantsConsultants 
			 Office of the Public Guardian 8,666 Capita Resourcing Ltd., Saville and Holdsworth (UK Ltd.) 29,962 Hudson Global Resources Ltd.; Brook Street (UK) Ltd.; Hays Accountancy Personnel; Peter Lockyer Advertising (UK) Ltd. 31,432 TFPL Ltd.; Tribal Technology Ltd. 8,333 Euro RSCG Riley Ltd. 6,400 Euro RSCG Riley Ltd. 
			 Tribunals Service 14,925 Recruitment Consultants Allen Lane 
			  14,145 External Recruitment AdvertisingAllen Lane 
			 Her Majesty's Prison Service(4)   3,080,375 Barkers Hr Advertising Ltd., TMP Worldwide Ltd., BNB Recruitment Consultancy Ltd. 5,469,082 Barkers Hr Advertising Ltd., TMP Worldwide Ltd., Strategic Decision Ltd. 
			 (1) Former Department for Constitutional Affairs and The Court Service (2) Former Department for Constitutional Affairs and Her Majesty's Courts Service (3) Ministry of Justice core department including National Offender Management Service (HQ elements), Office for Criminal Justice Reform and Her Majesty's Courts Service (4) Increase in expenditure due mainly to national prison officer recruitment campaign. Comparable figures for earlier years available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 331-32W, on Departmental written answers, where the information on  (a) questions answered in 2002-03 and 2003-04,  (b) the number of questions answered substantially and  (c) the number of questions not answered due to disproportionate cost is held.

Shahid Malik: The information prior to the 2004-05 session is held in paper format and post 2004-05 on an electronic database. Both formats would require a manual collation by checking every questions answer at a disproportionate cost. The database has been adapted and the information will be collated from the new Session.

Driving Under Influence: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people resident in  (a) Southampton,  (b) Test Valley borough and  (c) the ceremonial county of Hampshire were (i) arrested under suspicion and (ii) convicted of driving when drunk in (A) each of the last five years and (B) each month since October 2007.

Maria Eagle: The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences), by main offence group (e.g. violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary, theft and handling stolen goods, etc.) and police force area within England and Wales. Information on summary motoring offences including those of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs are non-notifiable and as a result are not covered by the collection.
	Available information held on convictions at all courts for offences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for the years 2002 to 2006 (latest available) is provided in the following table. Data for 2007 will be available on 27 November 2008. The data provided covers both drink and drugs offences combined, as volumes of prosecutions and convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot be accurately established separately.
	Information is available on a calendar year basis and at police force area level only.
	
		
			  Findings of guilt at all courts for offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) ,  within Hampshire police force area, 2002-06 
			   Number of offences 
			 2002 3,846 
			 2003 3,663 
			 2004 3,743 
			 2005 3,372 
			 2006 2,993 
			 (1) Data provided covers summary offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs (which cannot be reliably distinguished separately).  Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Electoral Commission: Powers of Entry

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the evidential basis is which underlies the proposals to grant the Electoral Commission powers to enter people's homes.

Michael Wills: The proposals to reform the commission's powers and governance seek to make the commission a more effective regulator. In its 11th Report, the Committee for Standards in Public Life (CSPL) stated that: PPERA should be amended to make it clear that the Electoral Commission has a duty to investigate proactively allegations or suspicions of failures to comply with the regulatory framework (CSPL 11th Report, p31).
	In their report on Propriety and Peerages published in December 2007, the Public Administration Select Committee noted that: There is now a striking consensus behind the need to make the Electoral Commission into a more effective, proactive regulator. We add our voice to that consensus. The Government is currently considering what steps to take next. One of these steps might need to be changes to legislation to give new powers to the Commission. (Public Administration Select Committee, Propriety and Peerages: Second Report of Session 2007-08, paragraph 99, p34).
	In order to ensure that the commission can effectively carry out its functions as a regulator, the Government have proposed that the commission should have the ability to apply to a magistrate for a warrant, which will be exercised by a constable, together with other persons named in it, to seek entry to premises in connection with an investigation.
	The power to grant a warrant to enter and search premises on an application from the Electoral Commission, which is set out in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Bill, is similar to the power given to grant a warrant on an application from the Financial Services Authority, which is set out in section 176 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
	As I said during Committee stage, I am reflecting further on the points made on this issue and will return to them at the next parliamentary stage.

Intellectual Property: Training

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment his Department has made of the merits of training in intellectual property law for judges and magistrates and their advisers; and what guidance has been issued to the Judicial Studies Board pursuant to recommendation 44 of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property.

David Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Personal Injury: Compensation

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Wantage of 22 May 2008,  Official Report, column 413W, on personal injury: compensation, when he plans to publish his Department's response; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1032W, on political parties: finance, whether a candidate who withdraws their candidature and then after a period of time is subsequently re-adopted, will be deemed not to have triggered when they are re-adopted.

Michael Wills: At present, under section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the candidate expenditure limit regulates all expenses incurred 'at any time' and used after an individual becomes a candidate at the election.
	Clause 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends the definition of election expenses in section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Under the amended section, all expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the candidate on matters listed in part 1 of schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which is used for the purposes of the candidate's election, will be regulated, regardless of when that expenditure is used.
	Therefore whether or not an individual has been formally adopted by a party does not determine whether any expenditure counts towards the candidate's spending limit. The purpose for which the expenditure is used is the decisive factorany expenditure which falls within the definition in 90ZA will be regulated by the candidate's spending limit, and subsequent expenditure captured by the definition should be aggregated and reported in line with the statutory requirements.
	It would not be possible to incur expenses, resign one's 'candidacy' and then relaunch one's 'candidacy' at a later point in order to evade the spending restrictions. In this respect, the position is not affected by the amendments in clause 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill (Bill 165).

Prison Sentences

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners serving sentences in HM prisons are beyond their original or adjusted tariff; how many of those maintain innocence of the crime of which they were convicted; what the  (a) original and  (b) adjusted tariff is in each case; and how long each such prisoner has been detained to date.

David Hanson: On 24 November 2008, there were 3,949 indeterminate sentenced prisoners in custody recorded as being beyond their original or adjusted tariff.
	These figures are taken from the Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) within the National Offender Management Service. As with any large scale recording system, it is subject to possible errors arising from either data entry or processing.
	No central record of prisoners maintaining their innocence is maintained. To establish how many post-tariff indeterminate sentenced prisoners continued to maintain their innocence and how long each such prisoner had been detained to date would require a manual checking of individual records, which, could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

Re-offenders: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persistent offenders there were in Suffolk in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: A persistent young offender (PYO) is a young person aged 10 to 17 who has been sentenced guilty of recordable offences on three or more separate occasions, and within three years of the last of these is arrested by the police for a further recordable offence.
	Statistics relating to PYOs are designed to measure the speed and efficiency of the youth justice system; through monitoring the pledge to halve the average time from arrest to sentence for dealing with PYOs in England and Wales from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days. They are not designed to measure overall trends in youth crime, and will give a misleading picture of the true trend if used for this purpose.
	The following table shows the number of individual PYOs in the Suffolk police force area and England and Wales from 2003 to 2007.
	
		
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Suffolk 176 216 239 213 230 
			 England and Wales 14,244 14,492 14,827 15,528 16,512 
		
	
	Further information on PYOs can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:
	www.justice.gov.uk/publications/averagetimearresttosentencepyo.htm.

Sexual Offences: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convicted sex offenders have volunteered for antilibidinal drug treatment in prison since the programme's introduction.

David Hanson: In 2007, a Department of Health funded service was established in the Prison Service to facilitate improvements in access to assessment and treatment by the small number of offenders in contact with criminal justice system who may benefit from appropriate medical treatment of sex offenders in the form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or anti-libidinal medication.
	Since the service began, 11 prisoners have been referred for initial assessment. The outcome of referrals is subject to the rules of medical confidentiality. This service is complementary to current local mental health referral procedures for people in contact with the criminal justice.

Theft: Libraries

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been imprisoned since 1987 for the theft of books, manuscripts, maps and other materials held in the national collections; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Data held by the Ministry of Justice does not separately classify the offences of theft of books, manuscripts, maps or other materials held in the national collections. Offences of this nature would be charged under the Theft Act 1968 but it is not possible to separately identify document thefts from national collections from other document thefts.

Apprentices

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what progress he is making towards meeting the target of having 500,000 high quality apprenticeships in the UK by 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: We are making good progress towards my Department's contribution to meeting the Nation's skills challenge. We estimate that by 2020 we will need to provide 250,000 apprenticeship starts and 190,000 successful completions in England to deliver Lord Leitch's ambition. Last year (2006-07) we delivered 184,000 apprenticeship starts and 112,000 successful completions. Completion rates have improved from 24 per cent. in 2001-02 to 63 per cent. in 2006-07. Data on the number of starts in 2007-08 is due to be published in December. World-class apprenticeships, published earlier this year, confirmed our commitment to making apprenticeships a high quality option for both young people and adults and set out steps to increase the numbers of people successfully completing an apprenticeship. In the summer, we published an Apprenticeships Draft Bill to drive and help sustain improvements in the quality of the programme. This focus on continuous improvement will be complemented by an increase in apprenticeships funding to over 1 billion by 2010-11.

Apprentices: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people were in apprenticeships in Enfield North constituency in each year since 1997.

Si�n Simon: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts and completions for learners living in the parliamentary constituency of Enfield, North. Figures are presented from 2002/03 to 2006/07, the latest year for which fully audited data are available. Comparable information is not available prior to the formation of the Learning and Skills Council in 2001.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship starts and completions in Enfield, North 
			  Academic year  Apprenticeship starts  Apprenticeship completions 
			 2002/03 190 20 
			 2003/04 210 20 
			 2004/05 200 60 
			 2005/06 200 80 
			 2006/07 190 100 
			  Notes:  1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.  2. Parliamentary constituency is based on learner's home postcode.  Source:  Work Based Learning ILR data.

Copyright Tribunal

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the Government's response to the Second Report Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee on the Work and Operation of the Copyright Tribunal HC 637, what plans his Department has to reform the Copyright Tribunal; what steps he has taken in this respect; what timescale he has established for reform; and what plans he has to consult on granting collecting societies the right to make reference to the Tribunal.

David Lammy: As I said before the House during the adjournment debate on 12 November, I am pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office is implementing a series of reforms.
	Specifically, the IPO is undertaking reforms in three areas:
	 (i) Resources and staffing
	The IPO has established the Registry of the Tribunal in London, and increased staff resources. Furthermore, the IPO is in the process of recruiting eight new lay members to the tribunal, and the Secretary of State will announce these appointments in April 2009. Finally, the IPO has agreed a timetable with the Judicial Appointments Commission to recruit a Deputy Chairperson. The Lord Chancellor will announce the appointment in early April 2009.
	 (ii) Rules of Procedure
	The Rules of Procedure are currently under revision, with a view to bringing them into line with the Civil Procedure Rules.
	 (iii) Jurisdiction
	The IPO is analysing a number of issues in relation to the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal. I expect this work to have been completed, and to be in a position to bring forward proposals, in 2009.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: The Department was created on 28 June 2007. Sickness absence figures for the period July 2007 to June 2008 are available on its website:
	www.dius.gov.uk/press/civil_sickness.html.
	The figures include the Department's two agencies, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), but they do not include the non-departmental public bodies as the information for them is not held centrally.
	The department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and is developing its absence management policies, including targets to reduce sickness absence.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the cost of maintaining his Department's website  (a) was in 2007-08 and  (b) is projected to be in 2008-09.

Si�n Simon: The cost of maintaining the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills website in 2007-08 was 104,336.96 inclusive of VAT.
	The Department was set up with an interim site and most of its information content continued to be hosted in DCSF and BERR sites. The Department is currently in the process of changing web suppliers and completely redoing the corporate website to enable migration of all content currently hosted by legacy departments. Therefore the projected costs for 2008-09 can be broken down into two parts.
	(1) The ongoing hosting and maintenance costs with the incumbent suppliers will be in the region of 120,000.
	(2) The projected total costs for redeveloping the corporate site which is broken down into initial set up costs that will only be required in 2008-09 and ongoing maintenance and service is as follows.
	 Setup
	Design: Following a competitive tender the website redesign, including research, scoping, design and production of templates and user testing is approximately 100,000.
	Hosting and infrastructure: Using a shared service with the Department for Children, Schools and Families the Department is developing a new web hosting infrastructure and content management system. This cost also includes scoping, hardware and full content migration of over 20,000 pages of content from DCSF and BERR. The cost for this is approximately 240,000.
	 Ongoing
	There is also a projected annual maintenance and service cost which may be in the region of 85,000.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year.

Si�n Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established in June 2007. The Department employed one special adviser initially, rising to two from September 2007. A new special advisor was appointed on 1 September 2008, with one of the existing special advisors having a handover period agreed with Cabinet Office before leaving.
	The Department's full complement of press officers has been 13 throughout that time, though in the earlier months of the Department's existence there were a number of vacancies.
	The total cost of the press office to date is 267,095.52, costs of DIUS special advisers salaries are included in the annual Ministerial Statement on special advisers' paybands.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established in June 2007.
	In 2007-08 the department spent 2,523,721 on publicity, and advertising. For 2008-09 740,496 has been spent.
	For much of its business the Department operates through a number of arms length bodies including non-departmental public bodies and other agencies. The Department does not hold the information requested centrally and there would be a disproportionate cost to gather the information.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure applications for education maintenance allowance are dealt with as quickly as possible.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the educational maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Oxford, East with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average time taken to complete applications for education maintenance allowance was from receipt of application to confirmation of award in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the educational maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Oxford East with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Higher Education: Admissions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many 16 to 24 year olds were in post-16 education in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) Hemel Hempstead in each year since 1997.

Si�n Simon: Table 1 shows the number of 16 to 18-year-old Learning and Skills Council funded learners living in Hertfordshire local authority, and separately for learners living in the Parliamentary Constituency of Hemel Hempstead. Figures are presented from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the latest year for which fully audited data is available. Comparable information is not available prior to the formation of the Learning and Skills Council in 2001.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of learners funded by the Learning and Skills Council for Hertfordshire local authority and the parliamentary constituency of Hemel Hempstead by funding stream, 2004-07. 
			   Adult and community learning  Further education colleges  University for industry  Work based learning  Train to gain  Total 
			  Hertfordshire   
			 2004-05 620 15.570 940 2,970  20,090 
			 2005-06 780 15,080 730 2,990  19,580 
			 2006-07 770 14,800 340 2,890 2,690 21,490 
			
			  Hemel Hempstead   
			 2004-05 90 1,370 70 280  1,800 
			 2005-06 90 1,320 50 310  1,780 
			 2006-07 120 1,410 20 340 420 2,300 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are taken from the Individualised Learner Record final F05 data freezes. 2. Robust figures prior to 2004-05 are not currently available at local authority and parliamentary constituency level. 3. Local authority and parliamentary constituency are based on home postcode of the learner. Parliamentary Constituency is based on the 2006-07 boundaries for all years. 4. For Train to Gain and Work Based Learning, participation is counted as the number of starters. 5. There may be an element of double counting in the figures as some learners will participate in more than one funding area. 6. Totals may not equal the sum of their components due to rounding. 7. Train to Gain was created in April 2006. Standard reporting practice is to include the months of April to July 2006 in the 2006-07 academic year. 
		
	
	 General Notes
	1. Between 2004-05 and 2006-07, there was a significant shift in the types of further education provision that attracted public funding. Realignment of funding towards longer courses offering adults the greatest opportunity to gain the skills to enter and progress in sustained employment has necessarily led to a decrease in the overall number of LSC funded learners.
	2. However, it cannot be assumed that these courses and learners no longer existfor example, in 2006-07, there were more than 550,000 adult learners in FE colleges who received no LSC funding for their course, either because they or their employer paid the full fee, or because they were funded through a different funding stream.
	3. Where a course no longer attracts public funding, we expect colleges and providers to continue to offer those courses, at full cost, in response to demand. We are also working with colleges to ensure they are more efficient in the way they collect fee income from those learners and employers who are expected to contribute towards fees to enable them to support those who need it most.

Higher Education: Admissions

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of students were admitted to  (a) Oxford University,  (b) Cambridge University and  (c) one of the Russell Group of universities from each local education authority in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The information is shown in the table, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The latest period for which figures are available is the 2006/07 academic year, figures for the 2007/08 academic year will be available in late January 2009.
	This Government remain totally committed to widening participation in higher education (HE), for those from poorer and other under-represented backgrounds. This includes those young people who overcome the greatest challenges, not just to go to university at all, but to one of the most selective universities or courses. We, together with the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the universities themselves, are working to raise both aspirations of young people and attainmentto unlock the talent of each student so that they can progress to a university that will help them realise their full potential.

Higher Education: Finance

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which  (a) universities and  (b) further education colleges in England have operating deficits; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: Information on the operating deficits of individual universities and further education (FE) colleges is not held at Departmental level. The financial performance of universities and FE colleges is a matter for the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council respectively. The chief executives of both organisations, Professor David Eastwood and Mark Haysom, has written to the hon. Member for Reading East with the information requested and a copy of their replies has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 13 November 2008
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 233713 that asked:
	Which (a) universities and (b) further education colleges in England have operating deficits
	Of the 363 Further Education Colleges in England, 120 have reported in-year operating deficits for the year ended 31st July 2008, according to the latest available information which is taken from the 2008 College Financial Plans (annual returns which are due each 31st July). This data included in these plans is unaudited. Audited figures for the year ended 31st July 2008 are due to be received at the LSC by 31st December 2008.
	A list of the 120 colleges is attached.

Higher Education: Finance

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much public funding was provided for the teaching costs of each place for first-time UK and EU undergraduates for courses  (a) co-funded and  (b) not co-funded with employers on average in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocated an average rate of teaching grant per employer co-funded UK and EU student in 2008/09 of ,2961 per year (full time equivalent) and 4,194 for fully funded students. Whilst the average employer co-funding rate is less than 50 per cent., HEFCE have asked institutions receiving development funding for ECF projects to achieve 50 per cent. by the end of 2010/11.

Higher Education: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on  (a) higher education and  (b) further education in West Lancashire constituency since 1997.

David Lammy: Expenditure incurred by HEFCE, the Student Loans Company and the Learning and Skills Council is not collected by the Department at the level of detail requested. We will, however, work with HEFCE and the Student Loans Company to try to gain a detailed breakdown of the higher education expenditure and will write to the hon. Member with further relevant detail. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive will write to the hon. Gentleman with additional information on further education expenditure.

Literacy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what action the Government has taken to improve the reading and writing skills of parents.

Beverley Hughes: Parents improving their reading and writing skills remains an important priority for the Government. The Department for Children Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills commit over 47 million per year to family learning programmes.
	The Family Literacy Language and Numeracy programme (FLLN) targets approximately 60,000 parents per year in the most deprived local authorities in England. The aim of the programme is to raise the literacy, language and numeracy skills of parents and/or carers; improve parents' and/or carers' ability to help their children and to improve children's acquisition of literacy language and numeracy skills. FLLN has been successful in encouraging parents to re-enter education, training and work.
	The Family Learning Impact Funding (FLIF) announced in the Department for Children Schools and Families' Children's Plan in December 2007 is designed to expand and further develop existing family learning provision to extend the reach of the programme, meet individual needs more effectively, improve the quality of provision for parents and increase the number of disadvantaged parents achieving qualifications and progressing.

Science: Museums and Galleries

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether he has received the report from Ecsite-UK on science and discovery centres; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: As recommended by the Science and Technology Select Committee in October 2007, DIUS has commissioned independent research on science and discovery centresboth Ecsite-uk members and others. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, received a copy of the project specification from my hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Science and Innovation, on 12 June. Frontier Economics were commissioned in July 2008 to conduct the study, which focuses on science centres' contribution to science and society goals, compared with other DIUS-funded providers of enrichment activities. Their report is expected in January 2009.
	Ecsite-uk completed a small-scale joint DIUS/DCSF-funded study of the value of their own science centres; this was published on their website in April 2008.

Science: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assistance the Government has provided to York as a science city since 1998.

David Lammy: The Government have not provided any direct national funding to York as a Science City since the role of Science Cities is to bring together existing public investment in science and urban regeneration, and any additional funding is at the discretion of the Science City partners.
	However, Yorkshire Forward has made the following investments to support York as a science city since 2001:
	
		
			  Programme  Amount invested () 
			 To support York and North Yorkshire as a leading centre of enterprise in science, technology and the creative industries. Funding used to develop networks across ICT, bioscience and creative sectors and knowledge transfer from the University 2,210,986 
			   
			 To support Science City York enterprise and business advice across a range of sectors: ICT, creative and bioscience 199,999 
			   
			 To support York Bio-Incubator that provides managed workspace and incubation for York-based bioscience companies 1,449,853 
			   
			 To support Science City York Business Hub and Spoke enterprise project 2,615,187 
			   
			 Total 6,476,025 
		
	
	The University of York, one of the two Science City York principle shareholders, has received nearly 69 million funding between 2002-08 from DIUS and the Higher Education Funding Council through the three rounds of the Science, Research and Investment Fund (SRIF). SRIF's replacement Research Capital Investment Fund (RCIF), which was established in July 2008, will be investing a further 21 m in the University of York during the three years 2008-11.
	The University of York has also received over 6 million in funding from the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) to boost its knowledge transfer capacity since 2001.

Students: Finance

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many UK-domiciled students with a household income of between 50,020 and 60,000 the Higher Education Funding Council for England estimates will enter higher education in 2009-10.

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 29 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 32-3WS, on the Education (Student Support) Regulations, what estimate he has made of the number 
	(1)  of students who would otherwise have expected to receive  (a) a full grant and  (b) a partial grant for their higher education studies had they commenced in 2008-09 who will receive no grant as a consequence of the reduction of the income threshold.;
	(2)  of prospective students who left school in 2008 and plan to enter university in 2009 and who did not receive the level of higher education grant they would have received had they entered university in 2008 as a consequence of the reduction in the income threshold.

David Lammy: On 29 October 2008, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced that the Government are making extra money available, totalling 100 million in steady state, to meet the higher than expected demand for student support in 2009/10 and beyond. This will enable the Government to maintain their intention that two-thirds of eligible students should receive either the full grant of 2,906 or a partial grant in 2009/10. We also expect that our commitment for one-third of eligible students to receive a full grant will be exceededunder the new package, we anticipate that 40 per cent. of students may be eligible for a full grant.
	All 2009/10 entrants will be eligible for the same or higher levels of grant than they would have received in 2007/08. Eligible new students in 2009/10 from households with incomes from 18,000 to 50,000 will receive more grant that they would have done in 2007/08. New students in 2009/10 with incomes up to 57,000 will be eligible for more total support than in 2007/08.
	In 2009/10, low income entrants will receive 2,906 of maintenance grant and 3,497 of maintenance loan. In real terms, the maintenance grant will be over 20 per cent. higher than in 1997/98 and the maintenance loan over 50 per cent. more generous.
	I refer the hon. Member to the evidence given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee on 29 October 2008.

Cancer: Greater London

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the number of patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type.

Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Cancer: Greater London

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not produce survival rates by London borough. ONS regularly publishes one- and five-year survival rates for patients resident in government office regions and strategic health authorities. The latest figures are survival rates for eight cancers (bladder, breast, cervix, colon, lung, oesophagus, prostate and stomach) which are available on the ONS website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=11991
	The one- and five-year relative survival rates for patients resident in the London government office region and London strategic health authorities, diagnosed during 1997-99 and followed for survival up to the end of 2004, are given in Table 1.
	
		
			  One- and five-year age-standardised( 1)  relative survival( 2)  (percentage) for adult( 3)  patients diagnosed during 1997-99 and followed up to the end of 2004,8 common cancers by sex: strategic health authorities within the London government office region 
			Men  Women 
			 One-year  Five-year   One-year  Five-year 
			  Cancer( 4)   No.  of patients  Survival (%)  (95% CI)( 6)  Survival (%)  (95% CI)  No.  of patients  Survival (%)  (95% CI)  Survival (%)  (95% CI) 
			  Bladder( 5)
			  London 1,883 78.4 (74.9-81.9) 59.5 (54.4-64.6) 795 74.8 (69.4-80.2) 56.7 (49.6-63.9) 
			  North West London 480 83 (76-89) 63 (53-73) 186 79 (68-90) 61 (46-77) 
			  North Central London 321 79 (71-88) 62 (50-75) 131 71 (58-85) 53 (35-71) 
			  North East London 395 77 (69-85) 63 (52-73) 168 73 (61-85) 46 (31-61) 
			  South East London 333 72 (63-81) 49 (37-60) 152 70 (57-82) 53 (38-68) 
			  South West London 354 79 (71-87) 58 (46-70) 158 78 (67-90) 64 (48-79) 
			 
			  Breast
			  London  11,375 93.3 (92.2-94.5) 78.5 (76.3-80.7) 
			  North West London  2,717 94 (92-96) 81 (77-86) 
			  North Central London  1,856 94 (91-97) 78 (73-84) 
			  North East London  2,154 93 (90-95) 76 (71-81) 
			  South East London  2,279 93 (91-96) 78 (73-82) 
			  South West London  2,369 93 (90-95) 78 (74-83) 
			 
			  Cervix
			  London  866 82.9 (77.3-88.5) 63.6 (56.3-70.9) 
			  North West London  201 81 (69-93) *70 (62-77) 
			  North Central London  126 87 (75-99) 67 (50-84) 
			  North East London  178 82 (70-94) 66 (49-82) 
			  South East London  203 86 (75-97) 59 (43-74) 
			  South West London  158 76 (61-91) *66 (58-74) 
			 
			  Colon
			  London 2,377 67.1 (63.1-71.1) 45.1 (39.9-50.2) 2,458 67.3 (63.6-71.0) 47.3 (42.6-52.0) 
			  North West London 536 72 (64-80) 48 (37-58) 555 67 (59-74) 48 (39-58) 
			  North Central London 359 62 (52-73) 41 (28-54) 370 71 (62-81) 45 (34-57) 
			  North East London 483 66 (57-75) 42 (31-54) 493 66 (57-74) 42 (32-52) 
			  South East London 489 66 (58-75) 44 (32-55) 490 65 (57-74) 48 (37-58) 
			  South West London 510 66 (58-75) 49 (38-60) 550 69 (61-77) 51 (41-61) 
			 
			  Lung
			  London 5,761 26.1 (24.1-28.1) 6.3 (5.1-7.5) 3,624 28.0 (25.4-30.6) 7.2 (5.6-8.8) 
			  North West London 1,152 27 (23-32) 7.1 (4.3-9.8) 786 29 (24-35) 7.5 (4.1-10.9) 
			  North Central London 900 26 (21-31) 7.8 (4.5-11.0) 561 29 (22-36) 6.7 (2.9-10.5) 
			  North East London 1,380 26 (22-30) 5.2 (3.0-7.4) 780 28 (22-33) 6.3 (3.1-9.5) 
			  South East London 1,375 25 (21-29) 5.5 (3.2-7.7) 837 27 (22-32) 7,5 (4.3-10.8) 
			  South West London 954 27 (22-32) 6.8 (3.8-9.8) 660 27 (21-33) 7.4 (3.7-11.2) 
			 
			  Oesophagus
			  London 978 33.6 (28.6-38.7) 7.5 (4.5-10.6) 594 32.4 (25.4-39.3) 10.2 (5.3-15.0) 
			  North West London 234 38 (27-48) 7.6 (1.4-13.7) 129 35 (21-49) *10.9 (5.9-17.7) 
			  North Central London 123 33 (19-47) *7.3 (3.1-13.9) 95 20 (9-32) *2.1 (0.3-7.8) 
			  North East London 191 24 (14-35) *5.6 (2.7-9.9) 127 32 (17-47) 8.2 (0.0-17.2) 
			  South East London 245 34 (24-44) *6.8 (3.9-10.8) 126 30 (15-44) 14.1 (1.7-26.4) 
			  South West London 185 39 (28-51) 13.1 (3.7-22.4) 117 39 (22-56) *12.6 (6.9-20.1) 
			 
			  Prostate
			  London 6,874 90.2 (88.6-91.8) 71.0 (68.0-74.0)  
			  North West London 1,540 91 (88-94) 73 (66-79)  
			  North Central London 1,107 90 (86-94) 73 (65-80)  
			  North East London 1,536 89 (86-93) 70 (63-76)  
			  South East London 1,371 89 (85-93) 68 (61-75)  
			  South West London 1,320 91 (88-95) 72 (65-79)  
			 
			  Stomach
			  London 1,407 36.4 (32.1-40.7) 14.6 (11.0-18.1) 847 34.7 (29.1-40.4) 15.1 (10.5-19.8) 
			  North West London 281 37 (27-47) *16.9 (12.1 -22.4) 166 36 (23 - 48) 18.0 (7.0-29.0) 
			  North Central London 223 40 (29-51) 14.0 (5.9-22.1) 130 36 (22-50) 13.8 (2.7-24.9) 
			  North East London 382 32 (24-40) 12.8 (6.9-18.7) 217 34 (22-45) 13.8 (4.9-22.7) 
			  South East London 329 35 (25-44) 14.6 (7.7-21.4) 189 27 (16-38) 13.1 (4.5-21.7) 
			  South West London 212 42 (31-54) *16.4 (11.2-22.5) 145 43 (29-57) 16.3 (4.6-28.0) 
			 * All ages '15-99' survival rate not age-standardised. For some SHAs, the small numbers of cases and deaths for some of these cancers lead to wide random fluctuations in the relative survival rates and this Is reflected in the wide confidence intervals. For some cancers, the numbers of deaths within a SHA were too small for reliable estimation of all of the age-specific survival rates. In such cases, the overall survival rates have not been age-standardised; in the table such rates are marked with an asterisk (*). (1) Cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, so the survival rates for all ages (15-99 years) have been age-standardised to control for differences in the age profile of cancer patients between geographical areas. We used the standard weights given in Chapter 3 of Coleman M P et al (1999) Cancer Survival Trends in England and Wales 1971-1995: deprivation and NHS Region. Studies in Medical and Population Subjects No.61. London: The Stationery Office. 1999. (2) Relative survival takes into account that some cancer patients will die from causes other than their cancer. It is the ratio of the crude survival to the survival in a corresponding (age and sex) group in the general population. (3) Aged 15-99 years at diagnosis. (4) Cancers registered in 1997-99 are defined by codes in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Therefore, bladder cancer is defined by code C67. breast cancer by code C50. cervical cancer by code C53. colon cancer by code C18. lung cancer by code C34. oesophageal cancer by code C15. prostate cancer by (5) There are well-recognised differences in the classification and registration of some bladder tumours, which are recorded as malignant by some cancer registries and as non-malignant by others. This contributes to some of the apparent geographical variation in the survival rate for bladder cancer. Survival rates for transitional cell papillomas are very high, so where cancer registries define these as malignant, this results in an apparently higher overall survival rate for bladder cancer. (6) On repeated sampling, 95 times out of 100 the true value would be within the calculated confidence interval range and 5 times the true value would be either higher or lower than the range.  Source: Office for National Statistics

Civil Servants: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of active members in the civil service pension scheme joined on or after 30 July 2007; and what projections he has made of changes to this figure over time.

Tom Watson: Active members of the civil service pension scheme joining on or after 30 July 2007 participate in the nuvos section. For the proportion of active members of the scheme who are in the nuvos section, I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) and the hon. Member for Rochdale (Paul Rowen) today to PQs 229520 and 236303.
	No projections have been made of the changes over time to the proportion of active members who joined on or after 30 July 2007.
	Projections of how the proportion of members who join after April 2006 would increase over time were made in the context of the Public Services Forum agreement in October 2005. I refer the hon. member to the answer the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 8 November 2005,  Official Report, column 330W, which indicated the staff turnover assumed across the pension schemes for teachers, the NHS and civil servants.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the rate of staff  (a) absenteeism and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department, (ii) its agency and (iii) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; what the target rates for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Office are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1258W.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers were employed by his Department in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; and at what cost in each of those years;
	(2)  how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year.

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in  (a) his Department,  (b) its non-departmental public bodies and  (c) its agencies in each of the last three years.

Tom Watson: The Prime Minister's Office forms part of the Cabinet Office.
	The Prime Minister publishes on annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
	Regarding the number and cost of press officers I refer the hon. Member to the answers that were given on 8 September 2004,  Official Report, column 1245W; 10 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1837W; 6 February 2006,  Official Report, column 849W and 8 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1570W. The cost to the Department press officers for 2006-07 and 2007-08 were:
	
		
			   
			 2006-07 669,780 
			 2007-08 959,614

Disabled: Income

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average monthly income was for disabled adults between the ages of  (a) 20 and 29,  (b) 30 and 39,  (c) 40 and 49 and  (d) 50 and 60 years in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The available data is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Age  Median monthly income for disabled adults () 
			 20 to 29 727 
			 30 to 39 892 
			 40 to 49 890 
			 50 to 60 754 
			  Notes: 1. The table presents median monthly income, net of tax and national insurance contributions, for disabled adults in the UK. This is consistent with our standard approach used when presenting household incomes in the Households Below Average Incomes. 2. Disability is defined as having any long-standing illness, disability or infirmity that leads to a significant difficulty with one or more areas of the individual's life. Everyone classified as disabled under this definition would also be classified as disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). However, some individuals classified as disabled under the DDA would not be captured by this definition. 3. The Family Resources Survey (FRS) collects information on the incomes and circumstances of private households in the United Kingdom. The FRS is a nationally representative sample, covering approximately 26,000 households in 2006-07, the latest survey year. 4. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the FRS to Government Office Region populations by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error. 5. Evidence suggests that some items of income may be under reported in the survey, particularly self-employment and investment income. 6. Income data on the FRS has not been adjusted to account for variation in household size and composition, or economic status. 7. Most benefits are claimed on a benefit unit basis. Where the benefit unit consists of more than one adult, the benefit income is assigned to the lead claimant. Looking at the income of a subgroup of individuals may not therefore be an accurate reflection of income as it may exclude benefit income paid on behalf of the benefit unit where the individual is not the lead claimant.  Source: Family Resources Survey, 2006-07

Futurebuilders England: Catz Club

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on which dates each financial payment was made to Catz Club by Futurebuilders.

Liam Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Futurebuilders England: Catz Club

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much funding Futurebuilders has written off in total in relation to the charity Catz Club.

Liam Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Futurebuilders England: Catz Club

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, column 16W, on Catz Club, for what reasons Futurebuilders decided to terminate its relationship with Catz Club.

Liam Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Futurebuilders England: Catz Club

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, column 16W, on Catz Club, what other press releases have been removed from the Futurebuilders website on the basis that they are no longer an investee of Futurebuilders.

Liam Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Government Departments: Public Relations

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2008,  Official Report, column 759, on public relations, how much was spent on Government advertising, marketing and public relations in each year since 1997, according to records held by the Central Office of Information.

Tom Watson: holding answer 20 November 2008
	The amount spent on Government advertising, marketing and public relations since 1997, according to records held by the Central Office of Information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			million 
			 1996-07 81.2 
			 1997-08 68.6 
			 1998-09 126.7 
			 1999-2000 148.6 
			 2000-01 227.1 
			 2001-02 196.7 
			 2002-03 189.8 
			 2003-04 233.6 
			 2004-05 251 
			 2005-06 230.9 
			 2006-07 229.8 
			 2007-08 265.8

Immigration

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008,  Official Report, column 408W, on immigration, what the level is of net immigration at which the population of the UK would remain below 70 million on unchanged assumptions about birth rates, mortality and emigration levels on the basis of the most recent population projections.

Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many staff in his Department left under  (a) involuntary and  (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) its agency;
	(2)  how many of his Department's staff who left under  (a) an involuntary and  (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what cost;
	(2)  how many employees in the Prime Minister's Office took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office, which includes the Prime Minister's Office, has not held involuntary exit schemes during the financial years specified.
	For information on voluntary exit schemes for the financial year between 2003-04 and 2006-07, I refer the hon. members to the answer given by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 17 April 2007,  Official Report, column 538W. Information for approved departures under voluntary exit schemes in 2007-08 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of employees 
			 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 10 
		
	
	The Cabinet Office aims to ensure that it has a diverse and skilled workforce to meet its business needs. The criteria for voluntary departure schemes are governed by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. A copy of the scheme has been placed in the Library.
	Information on costs of voluntary departure scheme is available only at disproportionate cost.

V: Burston-Marsteller

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what monetary payments V  (a) has made and  (b) is contracted to make to Burston-Marsteller; and for what purposes.

Kevin Brennan: v is an independent charity funded by the Office of the Third Sector through its strategic grant programme. Details of individual payments are a matter between v and the commercial supplier.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to answer Question 231272 tabled on 23 October 2008, on assistant regional ministers; and what the reasons are for the time taken to respond.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 November 2008
	A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 24 November 2008.

Young People: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many 16 to 18-year-olds there were in Suffolk in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what proportion were  (a) in full-time work and  (b) not in education, employment or training.

Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's employees are assigned to issue academic technology approval scheme certificates.

Gillian Merron: Three members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department work in the Academic Technology Approval Scheme team and are able to issue certificates.

Afghanistan: Elections

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government  (a) has provided and  (b) plans to provide with preparations for the 2009 elections in Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan is already playing a key role in preparing for the elections. Through the United Nations Development Programme it is co-ordinating the international community's efforts to support the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission, which has lead responsibility for conducting voter registration and the elections in 2009 and 2010.
	We are working with international partners and the Afghan Government to support upcoming Afghan elections and are determined that they will be a success. We have already contributed 6 million, as an initial contribution, to support voter registration, which began on 6 October 2008 and will finish early February 2009. So far, voter registration is progressing well. We continue to lobby other countries to provide financial support for the elections.
	The security situation will present a considerable challenge and we are working closely through the international security assistance force to support Afghan-led security for the electoral process.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many quick impact projects of each type have been  (a) appraised,  (b) authorised and (c) completed in Helmand Province in each month of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) began in Helmand in 2006. QIPs provide a visible impact allowing the government of Afghanistan and the Civilian Military Mission in Helmand (CMMH) to deliver on promises to the people of Afghanistan, and create the environment for stabilisation development to follow. The CMMH has a robust system in place to identify, authorise and conduct QIPs. Potential QIPs can be identified by a range of actors such as the Afghan government and local community, through surveys conducted by local or international non-governmental organisations, or by the CMMH.
	We do not hold records of QIPs broken down by month. But in financial year 2006-07 there were 128 QIPs projects. In financial year 2007-08 there were 102 QIPs projects. In financial year 2008-09 to date, there have been 38 completed projects and 87 are still underway. Records are not kept of projects considered but not undertaken.
	Completed UK QIPs in Helmand include: humanitarian assistance to drought victims, permanent vehicle checkpoints constructed to improve security, uniforms and IDs for the Afghan National Police, the provision of vehicles, infrastructure and training for the Governor's office, the reinforcement of river bank walls and flood defences in Lashkar Gah, and a new 20-bed hostel for midwifery students. QIPS have also started and had a positive impact in Gereshk and Sangin.

Al Qaeda

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will enter into political dialogue with Al Qaeda; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK is willing in principle to support efforts to engage with groups who renounce violence. However, we have no intention of entering into political dialogue with Al Qaida (AQ). They remain actively engaged in extreme violence. Any form of political dialogue would lend completely unwarranted credibility to their claims that they represent in any way the interests of the world's Muslims.

Austria: Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the running cost of the British Embassy in Vienna was in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The total cost of our embassy in Vienna for each of the last five years have been:
	
		
			
			 2007-08 5,928,658 
			 2006-07 5,154,578 
			 2005-06 7,091,979 
			 2004-05 7,901,171 
			 2003-04 6,209,295

Austria: Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current monetary value of the  (a) wine and  (b) other alcohol held in storage by the British Embassy in Vienna is.

Caroline Flint: The current monetary value of the wine and other alcohol held in storage by our embassy in Vienna on 24 November is 3,605 and 499 respectively.

Austria: Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in Vienna in each of the last five years; and how many of these were organised and funded by  (a) trades unions,  (b) charities,  (c) businesses and  (d) other types of organisation; and what income the embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for receptions in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: 673 events (lunches, dinners, teas and receptions) were held at the British embassy in Vienna between 1 January 2003 and 31 October 2008. 71 of these were funded by businesses. None were funded by trade unions, charities or other organisations. The charges received from businesses for the use of facilities for receptions are recovered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Vienna and by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in London. Neither the FCO nor UKTI hold consolidated figures that show the total amounts recovered from businesses for their use of facilities for receptions over the past five years.

Austria: Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in Moscow in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The number of receptions held at the embassy are:
	
		
			   Number of receptions 
			 2004 64 
			 2005 77 
			 2006 110 
			 2007 73 
			 2008 70

Belarus: Children

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the agreement signed by Italian and Belarusian Government to allow Belarusian orphan children to travel to and from Italy and guarantee their safe return; and if he will make it his policy to enter into an analogous agreement with the Government of Belarus.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have received a copy of the agreement between the Italian and Belarusian Governments. Belarus has sought a similar bilateral agreement with the UK. The Government already facilitates the safe travel of Belarusian children to the UK. The UK Border Agency has written to the Belarusian Ambassador offering further discussions in order to maintain those arrangements.

Bosnia: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the  (a) political and  (b) security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and what his policy is on each.

David Miliband: EU Foreign Ministers discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 10 November and expressed its deep concern regarding the political situation in the country, including ongoing ethnic nationalist rhetoric from political leaders and actions which challenge the structure of the state. I agree with this assessment.
	Following this discussion, I visited Sarajevo, where I relayed the European Union's concern at the pace of reform and the political climate. I urged Bosnian politicians to focus on making the reforms necessary to allow for transition of the Office of the High Representative and further EU integration. I also met with High Representative/Special Representative Lajcak. The UK Government strongly support his efforts to facilitate reform and uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement.
	The security situation in Bosnia remains stable. The UK Government continue to support the work of the EU Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) in maintaining this stable security situation. While our concern over the current political situation does not give rise to concern over the security situation, we believe that any decisions on EUFOR draw-down should only be taken once there is clarity on the future of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Burma: Human Rights

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken in the United Nations Security Council to prosecute the human rights abuses of the Burmese government.

Bill Rammell: The UK has consistently supported firm action in all UN bodies on the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Burmese regime. The UN General Assembly Third Committee passed a further Resolution on Burma on 21 November 2008 which strongly condemns the ongoing, systematic violations of civil, political, economic and social rights of the people of Burma. The Human Rights Council passed its strongest ever resolution on Burma, with active UK support, on 18 June 2008.
	In the UN Security Council, the UK helped to secure unprecedented action on Burma in the form of a strongly worded Presidential Statement passed unanimously on 11 October 2007. The Security Council called on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi; start a genuine and inclusive dialogue with the opposition and ethnic groups; give its full co-operation to the UN; and take all necessary steps to meet the political, economic and human rights aspirations of its people. These demands were reaffirmed by a further Presidential Statement in May this year. Work will continue to keep Burma as a focus for discussion in the Security Council.

Burma: Political Prisoners

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Burma on the recent decision to sentence 14 political dissidents to 65 years each in prison in that country; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Bill Rammell) said on 11 November, we are deeply concerned by the regime's decision to sentence members of' '1988 Generation' and other pro-democracy activists to up to 65 years in jail. Reports that many are being sent to remote prisons far from the support of family and friends increases our concern. Those detained did nothing more than call for a better future for Burma's people. Our ambassador in Burma has made clear to the Burmese Foreign Minister that we consider the harsh sentences imposed to be completely unacceptable, and that all political prisoners must be released in line with Security Council demands. We welcome the strong statements from the EU, US and UN Secretary-General condemning the regime's actions.
	As EU Foreign Ministers underlined on 10 November, only an inclusive political process involving all opposition and ethnic groups will begin to solve Burma's many problems.

Burma: Politics and Government

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the  (a) leadership and  (b) political objectives of the Burmese government.

Bill Rammell: The military have held power in Burma since 1962. Under their current guise of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), power is concentrated in the hands of General Than Shwe and a handful of senior generals. In spite of recent internal challenges, such as mass protests last September, the SPDC has retained a firm grip over the country and continues to preside over gross economic mismanagement and systematic human rights abuses.
	Following a flawed constitutional referendum in May, the regime appears intent on pressing ahead with elections in 2010 designed to entrench military rule in all but name. The recent sentencing of around one hundred monks and political activists to long prison terms underlines the regime's determination to snuff out dissent in advance of the poll. Unless elections are conducted in an atmosphere free from political repression, with the full participation of all Burma's political and ethnic groups, they will lack all credibility and perpetuate the country's many problems.

Christmas

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of  (a) lamb,  (b) beef,  (c) chicken,  (d) pork,  (e) turkey,  (f) other meats,  (g) vegetables and  (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers.

Gillian Merron: The information requested is not collected.
	The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
	This report will be available on the PSFPI web site at
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policv/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The average number of days sick leave taken by staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in each of the last five years is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Days 
			 2007 83.8 
			 2006 73.5 
			 2005 64.2 
			 2004 54.8 
			 2003 43.9 
		
	
	Sickness absence figures for staff at Wilton Park, an Executive Agency of the CO, and at FCO Services, which became a Trading Fund on 1 April 2008, are included in the FCO total.
	Records for staff sickness absence prior to 2003, and sickness absence records of non-departmental bodies are not available.
	Information is not held centrally for staff absences for reasons other than sickness and annual leave. Such absences are monitored locally by line-managers.
	The FCO does not have fixed departmental targets for absence and sickness absence.
	The FCO has effective policies for monitoring sickness absence, issuing warnings and reducing or withdrawing pay at certain trigger points for long absentees.

Departmental Languages

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) Hebrew,  (b) Arabic,  (c) Mandarin,  (d) Cantonese,  (e) Urdu,  (f) Farsi and  (g) Dari speakers are employed by his Department.

Gillian Merron: I will write to the right hon. Member separately and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how  many (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently employs two part-time Special Advisors to the Foreign Secretary.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister publishes on an annual basis a list of the numbers and cost of Special Advisors. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
	The number of London based press officers employed by Foreign and Commonwealth Office and their associated costs are shown in the following table. Total costs include the administration costs of the press office and the cost of staff, which includes basic pay, National Insurance, superannuation and the London Location Allowance. Only figures for complete financial years can be provided.
	
		
			   Number of  press officers  Total Cost () 
			 2007-08 (1)24 2,220,131.00 
			 2006-07 36 2,493,112.00 
			 2005-06 30 1,997,897.00 
			 2004-05 (2)26.5 1,744,974.00 
			 2003-04 41 1,860,206.00 
			 (1) 23 plus one job share. (2) 26 full-time plus one part-time.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Gillian Merron: During the 2007-8 financial year, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had no staff specifically employed on branding activity, although some parts of the FCO (for example, Consular Directorate) undertake some in-house branding activity as part of their promotional campaigns. The FCO now employs one person temporarily to advise on branding activities. This consultancy work has cost 40,000 so far and was procured through the Central Office of Information under normal government procurement rules.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

David Miliband: Between November 2005 and July 2006 one full-time civil servant worked in support of Special Advisers to the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Between July 2006 and June 2007, two full-time civil servants were employed to assist Special Advisers. Since June 2007 there has been one full-time civil servant assisting Special Advisers.
	These civil servants have provided administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Individual civil servants' salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.

Diego Garcia: Rendition

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has sought legal advice as to whether the use of Diego Garcia by the US for rendition flights in 2002 contravened the terms of the Exchanges of Notes that govern the United States' usage of the island.

David Miliband: FCO legal advisers advised on this issue after we were informed by the US of the 2002 flights in February 2008. We consider that the US Government should have sought permission from the UK before undertaking rendition operations through Diego Garcia.
	Secretary Rice has subsequently underlined the firm US understanding that there will be no rendition through the UK, UK airspace or overseas territories without express British Government permission. The US have also stated that, should there be any doubt as to whether an operation falls outside the Exchange of Notes that govern the use of Diego Garcia, then the US Government would consult the UK Government.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a written ministerial statement on rendition through Diego Garcia on 3 July 2008,  Official Report, column 58WS.

EC Action: Discrimination

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in response to the publication of the draft European Framework Convention on Promoting Tolerance and Combating Intolerance on 10 November 2008.

Sadiq Khan: The Government have noted the document produced by the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) to which the Hon member refers. The Council of Europe already has a range of mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of member states in tackling racism, discrimination and intolerance, including anti-Semitism. These include the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current estimated value is of the  (a) wine and  (b) other alcoholic drinks held in storage by the British Embassy in (i) Paris, (ii) Berlin, (iii) Madrid, (iv) Brussels, (v) Rome and (vi) Dublin.

Caroline Flint: The value of wine and other alcoholic drinks held in storage at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin are not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Embassies: Foreign Workers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 17th November 2008, Official Report, column 196W, on embassies: foreign workers, what additional positions in UK overseas posts have been identified for localisation in the financial years (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09, broken down by (i) country, (ii) mission, (iii) title of position and (iv) payband.

David Miliband: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to question 238243 on 26 November 2008.

Embassies: Foreign Workers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 196W, on embassies: foreign workers, which posts have been localised since January 2007, broken down by  (a) country,  (b) mission,  (c) title of position and  (d) pay band.

David Miliband: A detailed breakdown of jobs localised since January 2007 by country, mission, title of position and pay band is as follows:
	
		
			  Country  Post  Job title  Grade/pay band 
			 Argentina Buenos Aires Personal Assistant A2 
			 Australia Canberra Political Officer B3 
			 Austria Vienna Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Bangladesh Dhaka Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Barbados Bridgetown Senior Management Officer C5 
			 Belgium Brussels Personal Assistant B3 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Personal Assistant A2 
			 Botswana Gaborone Personal Assistant A2 
			 Brazil Sao Paulo Management Officer B3 
			 Cameroon Yaounde Personal Assistant A2 
			 Chile Santiago Personal Assistant A2 
			 China Beijing Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			  Guangzhou Entry Clearance Manage C4 
			 Colombia Bogota Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Croatia Zagreb Political Officer B3 
			 Cyprus Nicosia PA A2 
			   Senior Management Officer C4 
			   UK Trade Officer C5 
			 Czech Republic Prague Deputy Management Officer B3 
			   UK Trade Officer C4 
			 Denmark Copenhagen Personal Assistant A2 
			   Deputy Management Officer B3 
			   UK Trade Officer D6 
			 Finland Helsinki Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 France Paris Personal Assistant B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Germany Berlin Press Officer C5 
			  Dusseldorf Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   UK Trade Officer B3 
			 Ghana Accra Personal Assistant A2 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Guatemala Guatemala City Political Officer C4 
			 Guyana Georgetown Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Hungary Budapest Personal Assistant A2 
			   Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 India Chennai Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			  New Delhi Management Officer C4 
			 Ireland Dublin Deputy Management Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Manager C4 
			 Italy Milan Senior Management Officer C5 
			  Rome Personal Assistant A2 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Jamaica Kingston Support Officer A2 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Kenya Nairobi Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Kosovo Pristina Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Malawi Lilongwe Personal Assistant A2 
			 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Communications Officer A2 
			 Moldova Chisinau Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Communications Officer A2 
			 Mozambique Maputo Deputy Management Officer A2 
			 Myanmar Rangoon Political Officer B3 
			 Netherlands The Hague UK Trade Officer C5 
			 Nigeria Abuja Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Manager C4 
			  Lagos Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Norway Oslo Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Pakistan Islamabad Visa Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Deputy Management Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Manager C4 
			   Entry Clearance Manager C4 
			  Karachi Management Officer B3 
			 Philippines Manila Communications Officer A2 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			 Portugal Lisbon Deputy Management Officer B3 
			   Consul C5 
			   UK Trade Officer D6 
			 Romania Bucharest Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Russia Moscow Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			  St. Petersburg Management Officer C4 
			   Deputy Head of Mission C4 
			 Saudi Arabia Jeddah Senior Management Officer C4 
			  Riyadh Deputy Management Officer A2 
			 Serbia Belgrade Communications Officer A2 
			   Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 Singapore Singapore Communications Officer A2 
			 Slovakia Bratislava Personal Assistant A2 
			   Political Officer C4 
			 South Korea Seoul Communications Officer A2 
			 Spain Madrid Management Officer C4 
			   Management Officer C4 
			   UK Trade Officer C4 
			   Labour Officer D6 
			 Sweden Stockholm UK Trade Officer D6 
			 Switzerland Geneva UK Delegation Officer C4 
			 Tanzania Dar Es Salaam Communications Officer A2 
			   Political Officer B3 
			 Thailand Bangkok Political Officer B3 
			 Turkey Ankara Deputy Management Officer B3 
			  Istanbul Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Entry Clearance Officer B3 
			   Senior Management Officer D6 
			 Ukraine Kiev Deputy Management Officer B3 
			 USA Chicago Entry Clearance Manager C4 
			 Zambia Lusaka Personal Assistant A2

Iceland: Foreign Relations

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received an offer from the government of Norway to mediate between the United Kingdom and Iceland in discussions regarding the Icelandic banking crisis.

Caroline Flint: On 3 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland held a short discussion with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, at the latter's request. The Norwegian Foreign Minister offered the UK assistance in discussions regarding the Icelandic banking crisis and communication lines have remained open at all levels. The situation has now moved on and the offer has been overtaken.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department made of the  (a) amount and  (b) value of refined petroleum products sold to Iran by companies registered in the UK or with headquarters on UK territory in the three most recent financial years for which figures are available.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	Trade statistics are usually published on a calendar year basis. Data is not collected for the foreign activities of UK companies. HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics give the following figures for exports from the United Kingdom to Iran of refined petroleum products.
	
		
			  UK exports to Iran (SITC 334) 
			   Tonnes  Value () 
			 2005 239 395,000 
			 2006 237 305,000 
			 2007 175 445,000

Iran: Banks

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since January 2007 the Government has received notification that the Central Bank of Iran and Iranian commercial banks have requested that their names be removed from financial transactions which involved UK financial institutions; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	Discussions with international partners have repeatedly highlighted the risk of deceptive practices by Iran in support of proliferation sensitive nuclear activities, including stripping Iranian names from transactions to hide Iran's involvement. The UK Government are aware of this threat and shares these concerns. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual notifications.
	EU Regulation 1110/2008, concerning restrictive measures against Iran, which took effect throughout the EU this month applies a series of financial vigilance measures to all transactions involving Iranian financial institutions. These measures will guard against deceptive practicesincluding that of stripping Iranian names from transactions.
	In addition, the EC Regulation onWire Transfers (1781/2006) assists in accurately identifying the sources of such transfers by requiring that transfers of funds sent or received by a payment service provider in the EC shall be accompanied by complete information on the payer-name, address (or other identifier) and account number (or unique identifier allowing the payment to be traced back to the payer).

Israel: Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions held at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv were organised and funded by  (a) trades unions,  (b) charities,  (c) businesses and  (d) other types of organisation in each of the last five years; and what income the Embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for receptions in each such year.

Bill Rammell: No receptions are held at the embassy in Tel Aviv and we do not let the premises to third parties.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UN Secretary General's recent six-point proposal for Serb majority areas of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: UN-led discussions continue on the Six Points outlined by the UN Secretary-General in his 12 June letters to the Presidents of Kosovo and Serbia.
	The Six Points address transitional arrangements on six areas (policing, customs, justice, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and cultural heritage) in the context of the reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo announced by the UN Secretary-General in his report of 12 June. HMG welcomed the UN Secretary-General's reconfiguration proposal and strongly supports efforts to ensure timely and effective transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
	We expect the UN Secretary-General to reflect the outcome of these discussions in his forthcoming six-monthly report on the activities of the UN Mission in Kosovo.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the amended United Nations six point plan for deployment of the EULEX mission in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UN Secretary General published his proposals on the Six Points in his report to the Security Council of 24 November. The Six Points address transitional arrangements on policing, customs, justice, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and cultural heritage in the context of the reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo announced by the UN Secretary General in his report of 12 June. At the time of writing, the UN Security Council is expected to discuss, the report on 26 November. The UN Secretary General stated that implementation of these temporary arrangements will be carried out on the basis of continuous co-ordination with the authorities in Pristina. A copy of the report is available in the House of Commons Library.
	We welcome the UN Secretary General's reconfiguration of the international presences in Kosovo and strongly support efforts to ensure timely and effective transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.

Madagascar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the possibility of re-opening a British Embassy in Madagascar.

Gillian Merron: My Right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions about the possibility of re-opening a British Embassy in Madagascar. British interests in Madagascar are managed by our non-resident Ambassador (based in Port Louis, Mauritius), supported by two Honorary Consuls in Madagascar. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will open a British Interests Section in Madagascar, based in the German Embassy, by the end of this month to help support the High Commission in Port Louis in its work.

Middle East: Higher Education

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has developed a strategy for promoting the presence of UK academic and cultural institutions in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The British Council works across the middle east to promote UK academic and cultural exchanges through strong local partnerships. The British Council's strategy focuses on the delivery of high impact programmes in English, education, social development and intercultural dialogue which meet the expectations of UK stakeholders and the needs of the region.

Morocco: Western Sahara

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 228W, on Morocco: Western Sahara, when he was informed that the European Parliament had obtained a legal opinion that the agreement would not be in accordance with international law; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: With regard to the answer of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 228W, on Morocco fisheries. The European Parliament did not communicate to the UK any legal opinion they obtained about the EUMorocco Fisheries Agreement. As legal opinion is provided in confidence, it would be inappropriate for Her Majesty's Government to offer any comment on such opinion.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: During the last 12 months (for the period 2007 to October 2008) there have been fewer than FIVE reported complaints of racial abuse in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Further details cannot be given on the grounds of confidentiality.
	The FCO has a Dignity at Work policy and a dedicated Bullying and Harassment policy on its internal intranet. Changes to human resources policies are notified to staff through staff circulars. The FCO regularly consults with and involves its employee groups on how we can ensure we are promoting equality of opportunity and addressing discrimination in line with both our overall diversity and inclusion strategy. Two-way meetings between employee group right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary are held as part of a wider regular dialogue with employee groups.

Rendition: Diego Garcia

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 688W, on rendition, whether the Customs and Daily Occurrence Logs or the General Declarations which cover the period when the two cases of rendition occurred were examined at any stage prior to their destruction for the purposes of determining the veracity of claims that Diego Garcia had been used in the US rendition programme.

Bill Rammell: I refer to my answer to the hon. Member's written question of 29 September 2008 (224457). We do not have the precise date on when these records were destroyed.
	We have no record of the flight records having being examined for these purposes prior to their destruction. Previous records searches, for instance preceding my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's statements to Parliament on rendition in 2005 focussed on the question of whether the US had ever requested the use of a UK territory or airspace for the purposes of rendition. We cannot determine whether searches of specific flight records held on Diego Garcia were conducted at that time, or whether the records covering 2002 still existed at that point.

South East Asia: Climate Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Ministers and officials in his Department have had with the Association of South East Asian Nations on energy and climate change.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed climate change with the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General when they last met during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing in October. While in Beijing my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed climate change with Foreign Ministers from other ASEAN countries including Indonesia. Additionally, other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact with both ASEAN and its constituent nations with whom we consistently discuss both climate change and energy.
	The ASEAN grouping brings together some of the nations who will be hit hardest and hit first by climate change. Countries like Vietnam and Thailand are some of the world's most vulnerable and it is critical that their voices are heard in the international climate negotiations. ASEAN will be important in driving the political mobilisation necessary for an ambitious and equitable post 2012 agreement at Copenhagen.

UN Resolutions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government to give effect to UN General Assembly Resolution 1723 (XVI), with specific reference to the right to self-determination.

David Miliband: As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his written ministerial statement of 29 October, the UK does not support independence for Tibet and considers Tibet to be part of the People's Republic of China. However, we do believe that a system of meaningful autonomy with full respect for Tibet's distinct culture, religion and languages, to be a valid aspiration, and one which we support.
	We consider that the position the Dalai Lama has stated publicly, including when he visited Britain this year, that he is seeking meaningful autonomy within the framework of the Chinese constitution, provides the basis for a negotiated settlement. We continue to call on both parties to engage in substantive dialogue towards such a settlement.
	The United Kingdom voted in favour of UN General Assembly resolution 1723 (XVI) expressly to register disapproval at the human rights situation in Tibet. We made clear at the time that our support did not indicate any change in our position on Tibet's status.

Western Sahara: Military Exercises

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on joint UK/Morocco military exercises in occupied Western Sahara.

Bill Rammell: As my right. hon. Friend the Minister for the armed forces stated on 13 November,  Official Report, column 1301W, the Governments of the UK and Morocco signed a Joint Accord on Technical and Military Co-operation in 1993 under which the two countries conduct bi-lateral military co-operation including training. This arrangement does not specify what facilities are used in Morocco and it does not cover the territory of Western Sahara. The British armed forces do not conduct bi-lateral military activity in Western Sahara whose status is yet to be determined by the UN.

Afghanistan: Roads

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what forms of access roads there are into and out of Musa Qaleh.

Douglas Alexander: The access roads connecting Musa Qala to the other major towns of north and central Helmand of Gereshk, Lashkar Gah, Kajaki and Sangin are unpaved, well-used tracks suitable for heavy vehicles.

CDC

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, what measures his Department will put in place to ensure parliamentary scrutiny of the reports his Department receives from CDC under paragraph 12 of the New Investment Policy.

Douglas Alexander: I will place copies of both CDC's annual report and accounts, as well as CDC's annual review will be placed in the Library of the House.
	As part of the annual report CDC will include a report on its development impact, as well the conclusions of the independent audit of its implementation processes in relation to the Investment Code.

Chain Reaction Conference

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 755W, on the Chain Reaction conference,  (a) from which budget line his Department's funding for the conference was taken,  (b) what the development impact and outcomes of the conference were and  (c) how many people attended.

Douglas Alexander: The Chain Reaction conference was funded as part of the Department for International Development's (DFID) remit (under the 2002 International Development Act) to promote awareness of global poverty.
	The organisers will shortly be taking forward an analysis of the event's impact and outcomes, including drawing together information on the new ideas that the conference has inspired. The speakers and attendees from business, Government, third sector, development focused non governmental organisations and youth initiatives agreed 138 written commitments to take forward on a range of issues, including new partnerships between developed and developing countries. All of these can be viewed at the Chain Reaction website:
	www.chain-reaction.org
	The Chain Reaction conference was attended by 1,100 people.

Departmental Gifts

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at 100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case.

Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) DFID has spent the following since 2000 on advertising and publicity figures; figures prior to this date are not available. 98 per cent. of this expenditure has been for procurement and recruitment reasons.
	
		
			   Spend () 
			 2000 793,917 
			 2001 1,208,192 
			 2002 914,571 
			 2003 849,196 
			 2004 703,719 
			 2005 423,952 
			 2006 699,898 
			 2007 310,191 
			  Note: Final figures for 2008 are not yet available. 
		
	
	 (b) DFID has one non departmental public body The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission which has spent the following on publicity and advertising:
	
		
			   Spend () 
			 1997-98 7,211 
			 1998-99 7,085 
			 1999-2000 5,067 
			 2000-01 7,172 
			 2001-02 8,522 
			 2002-03 20,059 
			 2003-04 19,650 
			 2004-05 24,366 
			 2005-06 19,562 
			 2006-07 20,432 
			 2007-08 19,346

International Assistance

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the answer of 13 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1082W, on Lebanon, on how many occasions in the last five years his Department has funded National Audit Office missions to countries which receive UK financial assistance.

Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.

Pakistan: Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 112-3W, on Pakistan: overseas aid, what mechanisms will be used to monitor progress in macroeconomic policy in the area of general budget support.

Douglas Alexander: A number of monitoring mechanisms will be used to assess macroeconomic policy, including regular visits from the IMF assuming that a stand by facility is agreed. These will consider issues such as fiscal and external balances. We will also assess economic reporting provided both by the Government of Pakistan and the World Bank.
	A comprehensive mechanism will be put into place with the World Bank and others in order to assess the Government of Pakistan's public financial management systems into which budget support is provided. This is a standard mechanism used in a number of countries, known as a Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment.

Sierra Leone: Water

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the water, sanitation and hygiene programme in Sierra Leone.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) launched a 32 million nationwide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme for Sierra Leone in February this year. The programme is a joint effort with the Government of Sierra Leone, UNICEF and a number of NGOs. DFID is required to carry out annual assessments on all its support programmes over 1 million. In line with requirements, a comprehensive Annual Review of progress against the objectives of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme will be carried out in February 2009.
	DFID has been monitoring the use of funds disbursed to date, to key partners including UNICEF for programme activities. Our support has so far provided training and logistical support to staff in the Ministry of Health to monitor community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programmes, as well as improving hygiene, sanitation and water supplies in Districts like Port Loko in the Northern Region, Kenema, Kailahun, Kono in the Eastern Region and in the Western Area of Freetown.

South America: Research

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2008,  Official Report, column 570W, on South America: research, which companies have been contracted to work on the scoping study; in which country each company is based; and what the value is of each contract worth over 20,000 to work on the study.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development has co-funded with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) scoping studies related to Climate Change Adaptation research in Asia and Latin America.
	Fundacion Futuro Latinoamericano (FFLA) lead the scoping work related to Latin America and the Caribbean. FFLA sub-contracted other organisations in South America to undertake different parts of the study. Contracts over 20,000 were issued to Recursos e Invetigacion para el Desarrollo SustentableChile (40,467.56), The Cropper FoundationTrinidad and Tobago (33,303.78) and the Latin American Centre for Competitiveness and Sustainable DevelopmentCosta Rica (27,818.80).
	Other contracts issued by FFLA less than 20,000 in value related to the scoping study are listed in the following table.
	
		
			   Country 
			 Mexican National Autonomous University UNAM Mexico City, Mexico 
			 Institute for Environmental Studies, IDEAM Bogota, Colombia 
			 Interamerican Institute for Global Change, IAI Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil 
			 Mexican National Autonomous University UNAM Mexico City, Mexico 
			 University of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina 
			 National Centre for Atmospheric Research NCAR Boulder, USA 
			 National Institute for Space Studies, INPE Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil 
			 Institute of Ecology and Systematic Havana, Cuba 
			 Regional Committee for Hydraulic Resources In Central America, CRRH San Jose, Costa Rica 
			 Network for Social Studies on Disaster Prevention in Latin America. LARED Panama City Panama 
			 University of Chile Santiago, Chile 
			 University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil

Turks and Caicos Islands: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made on a financial aid package to help the Turks and Caicos Islands deal with the effects of Hurricane Ike.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID), jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has indicated a willingness to provide up to 5 million to support post Hurricane Ike priority reconstruction needs.

Children in Care: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many looked after children there were in each  (a) ward and  (b) lower layer super output area in each of the principal seaside towns in England in the last year for which figures were available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on the number of looked after children in each  (a) ward and  (b) lower super output area in each of the principal seaside towns in England is not collected centrally by the department. The lowest level of information available is by Local Authority.
	Information on the number of looked after children at 31 March by Local Authority for the last 5 years can be found in table LAA1. This table is taken from the Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008.
	The SFR is located at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/SFR/s0Q0810/index.shtml
	Table LAA1 can be found within the first set of additional excel tables.

Children in Care: Crime

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to improve the performance of local authority care systems in preventing looked-after children from offending;
	(2)  if he will put in place strategies to assist local authorities in their capacity as corporate parents to prevent children in their care becoming involved in crime.

Beverley Hughes: Government requires local authorities to collect data on the incidence of offending by children aged 10 or over in their care that have been looked after continuously for at least a year to contribute to the national statistics collection about outcomes for looked after children. Local authorities use this information to improve their performance in reducing offending by children in their care.
	As part of our programme to deliver the commitments set out in the Care Matters White Paper, my Department we will be producing revised guidance to local authorities with information on their responsibilities for preventing offending by looked after children.
	The care plan for a child in care and the pathway plan for a care leaver must include a clear strategy setting out how the young person will be supported to prevent any repetition of offending behaviour. Placement decisions, especially where residential care is being considered, must take account of the quality of support and supervision given to children to ensure that they are engaged in constructive activities enabling them to enjoy and achieve and do not have any opportunity to get caught up in anti-social behaviour of offending.
	We would expect local authority children's services to establish real constructive relationships with local youth offending teams.

Children in Care: Mentally Ill

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children and adolescents in care homes who had mental health problems in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of children and adolescents in care homes who had mental health problems in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority is not currently collected centrally by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
	However, table A3, taken from the Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008,shows the number of children in residential care homes at 31 March for each year from 2004 to 2008. The SFR is located at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsqateway/DB/SFR/s000810/index.shtml
	and table A3 can be found within the first set of Excel tables on the website. Information is not readily available for the number of children in residential care homes for earlier years and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Information on number of children in residential care homes could be produced at a Local authority level however the numbers would be very small and disclosure rules would result in the vast majority of the figures having to be suppressed.

Children: Databases

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  whether pupils from overseas who are boarding in UK boarding schools will be included on the ContactPoint database;
	(2)  what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to publicise the ContactPoint database to parents;
	(3)  what advance notice parents will receive about when their children's details are to be loaded on to the ContactPoint database;
	(4)  what information parents will receive about applying for their children's information to be shielded on the ContactPoint database;
	(5)  whether children's visits to NHS accident and emergency departments will be recorded on ContactPoint;
	(6)  pursuant to the Answer of 12th November 2008,  Official Report, column 1267W, on children: databases, if he will publish the results of the local shielding analysis of each local authority; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: In response to question 237362, ContactPoint will contain basic identifying information about all children and young people ordinarily resident in England up to their 18th birthday, and contact details for services working with them. ContactPoint will not hold information on children from overseas unless that child has a current residential address in England.
	If information is provided to ContactPoint on such a child, by a boarding school in England, the system will flag the record for review by the local authority ContactPoint management team and, once it has been confirmed that the information is for a child permanently residing outside England, the data will be moved to archive. The system submitting the information will receive an automated stop notice asking them not to provide the information when it attempts to send this data again.
	In response to questions 237363 and 237364, all data controllers who process personal information are under a duty to inform those whose data they are processing, that they are doing so - this is called a fair processing notice. The Department has included ContactPoint in its submission to the Information Commissioner's Office Register of Data Controllers, which contains the name and address of data controllers and a description of the kind of processing they do.
	The Department and local authorities are making information available to children, young people and their parents/carers, using a range of channels and mechanisms, such as direct mailing to households (where practicable), at points of service and public areas (for example, libraries), on websites and through the media. Materials include: ContactPoint leaflets, fact sheets and QAs (including young people's versions) and scenarios to demonstrate how ContactPoint will work in practice; from a service user perspective.
	Activity is already taking place across England. For example, for the past two academic years, schools have included ContactPoint in their Fair Processing Notices to parents/young people. Information has also been available on websites. Activity is also underway in local authorities and will increase as each LA introduces ContactPoint. In response to 237365, the information available to parents and young people will include information about shielding: that a shielding facility exists on ContactPoint, that there are criteria about when it is appropriate to apply a shield, and that a young person, parent or carer will be able to contact their local authority if they have reason to believe their child's record should be shielded on ContactPoint.
	In answer to question 237366, individual visits made by a child to AE will not be recorded, but the fact that a child has had an involvement with a hospital's AE department might be recorded if, in the treating clinician's professional judgment, other practitioners or organisations with access to ContactPoint need to be aware of that involvement. We will be working with clinicians in the ContactPoint early adopter sites and will continue discussions with the Department of Health to ensure that guidance is developed to promote best practice in this area.
	In response to question 237368, we have no plans to publish the results of the shielding analysis currently underway in all local authorities in England. This analysis, which is expected to be completed by the end of November, is intended to support local authority and local partner planning and operational activity.

Children: Databases

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his latest estimate is of the number of users who will have access to the Contact Point database.

Beverley Hughes: Previous and current estimates have indicated that potential authorised users of ContactPoint could range from 220,000 to 480,000. Our current statistical modelling based on the latest work force analysis predicts there will be around 390, 000 authorised users of ContactPoint.
	ContactPoint has been developed in response to Lord Laming's inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbi. Its purpose is to support early intervention and prevention by enabling practitioners to identify and contact other practitioners who are providing a service to a particular child and family. ContactPoint contains no case information.
	Access will only be granted to those who need it as part of their work. Users will only be authorised once they have had stringent security checks, including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau clearance and mandatory training which will cover the importance of security and good security practice. They will only be able to access ContactPoint with a password, a PIN and a security token to access ContactPoint. All access will be continuously audited and monitored.
	The number of authorised users will ultimately be determined by what local authorities and national partners judge is the minimum necessary to enable effective communication between professionals.

Christmas

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Christmas functions  (a) he,  (b) officials from his Department and  (c) officials from its executive agencies (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2007-08; what the cost to the public purse was; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) did not host any Christmas functions in 2007, but did host two celebratory events in January 2008, which I attended. The cost of these events was approximately 2,350.
	I also attended six Christmas functions in 2007-8. The cost of attending these functions is not readily available and gathering this information would be at a disproportionate cost
	Information on events hosted or attended by either  (a) DCSF officials or  (b) our executive agencies is also not readily available and gathering this information would be at a disproportionate cost.

Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department is part of a cross-departmental working group that was established in February 2008 that is providing a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns, including the impact of existing policy approaches and mechanisms in improving regeneration and economic development outcomes.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department was formed as part of the machinery of government changes announced on 28 June 2007. Figures are available from 28 June 2007 to 31 October 2008. The information is set out as follows:
	
		
			   Number/percentage 
			  Aged over 55 years  
			 Number recruited 16 
			 Percentage of all new recruits 4 
			   
			  Aged over 60 years  
			 Number recruited 1 
			 Percentage of all new recruits 0.3

Departmental Responsibilities

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which regional offices have responsibilities for delivering  (a) funding and  (b) services relating to policy objectives set by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) works with all nine of the English regional Government Offices.
	Each year my Department specifies its expectations of Government Offices in the delivery of DCSF policies and priorities. For 2008-09 these include supporting the
	implementation of the Children's Plan, Every Child Matters and achievement of the
	Public Service Agreements.
	DCSF currently delegates 92 million of programme funding to Government Offices in support of these objectives.

Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1585W, on education, if he will provide a breakdown of the funding allocated to each programme listed in Table 1.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Table 1 lists the programmes aggregated under the Other Miscellaneous title and their corresponding projected allocations for 2008-09, as shown in the 2008 departmental annual report
	
		
			  Table 1: List of Other Miscellaneous Programmes 
			million 
			  Schools  
			 Music and Dance Capital 34 
			 Medical Fees and Services 1 
			 Premature Retirement Compensation 12 
			 Teacher Development Agency 600 
			 National College for School Leadership 83 
			 Partnership for Schools 1 
			 Inclusion Programmes/Behaviour/Aim higher/Alternative provision 4 
			 Governors/Admissions/Independent State Schools/Travel Advisers/School Meals 5 
			 Teachers Pensions Contractual 1 
			 Partnerships and Federations 9 
			 Pupil attainment and assessment publications 1 
			 Gifted and Talented/ Study Support/ Playing for Success 32 
			 Curriculum 32 
			 Sport 22 
			 Total 837 
			  Children and Families  
			 LEA Capacity and Intervention 14 
			 Comms UnitCYPFD and SD 8 
			 CYPFD capital grants 7 
			 Children's Commissioner's Office 3 
			 Voluntary Community Sector CYPF Grant 1 
			 Adoption/Bichard Implementation Plan/Contact Point 2 
			 Parenting Fund 15 
			 Priority Fund 2 
			 S48 Inspection Grants 31 
			 Total 83 
			   
			  Young People  
			 Youth Challenge Fund 4 
			 NYA Grants 8 
			 Youth Facilities Capital 7 
			 Youth Sector Support 6 
			 Teenage Pregnancy/Substance Misuse 2 
			 Youth Capital Fund 71 
			 Youth Services 15 
			 Total 113 
			   
			  Support for all functions  
			 Centre for Procurement Performance salary related costs 1 
			 Total 1

Overseas Students: Finance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the reasons are for ceasing to fund scholars from Australia, the Bahamas, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore after 2009.

David Lammy: holding answer 10 November 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The FCO will stop funding scholarships for developed Commonwealth countries after 2008-09 because, as the then Minister for Europe explained to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 8 May 2008, column 1105W, it concluded that the Chevening and Marshall scholarship schemes better achieve its purpose of building relations with international leaders of the future.
	In recognition of the value of attracting high-quality students from developed Commonwealth countries to UK institutions, DIUS will fund scholarships for students from these countries from 2009. These scholarships will be for PhD students and will be jointly funded by UK universities.
	The FCO will also continue to fund Masters awards for students from the developed Commonwealth countries (except Cyprus and Malta because they are in the EU) through the Chevening scholarship scheme.

Pupil Exclusions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of fixed period exclusions were given to pupils  (a) with special educational needs and  (b) entitled to free school meals in (i) secondary schools and (ii) primary schools in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Data on the numbers of pupils with fixed period exclusions was collected for the first time for the school year 2003/04, therefore data cannot be provided for fixed period exclusions for prior to this. Information on free school meals eligibility of excluded pupils is only available from 2005/06 onwards.
	It is not possible, given the amount of analysis required, to provide a response to these questions within the timeframe required by Parliament. The requested information will therefore be placed in the Library.

Pupils: Diabetes

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of training given to teachers on the needs of children with type 1 diabetes;
	(2)  whether he has issued guidance on the administering of injections and other treatments to children with type 1 diabetes by school teachers;
	(3)  what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on informing teachers about children with type 1 diabetes.

Jim Knight: This Department issued, in 2005, guidance entitled 'Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Setting'. This guidance was published jointly with the Department of Health, and specifically addresses what schools can do to help children with diabetes and other medical conditions.
	This guidance encourages schools and local authorities to develop local policies on the management of pupil's medicines and on supporting pupils with medical needs, taking account of local resources and their various responsibilities. It is for schools and local authorities to set their own policy, including the training needs of staff; they should work with local health services to support pupils with medical conditions, including diabetes.
	Schools may contract members of support staff to support pupils as part of their duties, for instance to administer injections. In other schools support staff and teachers may volunteer to take on such roles. In either case, the Department recommends that the school should ensure such staff receive appropriate training and are covered by appropriate insurance.
	Diabetes is a recognised medical condition under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which requires schools not to treat disabled pupils less favourably; No child should miss out because of their diabetes.
	The Department has made no assessment of training either made available to or undertaken by teachers on the needs of children with type 1 diabetes.

School: St David's Day

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department encouraged schools to celebrate St. David's Day in 2008.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It is important that the curriculum provides opportunities for young people to consider for themselves what it means to live in the UK today.
	To ensure that young people explore their own identity and issues around diversity, a new strand was added to the Citizenship programme of study in September 2008 called 'Identity and Diversity: living together in the UK'. Pupils are encouraged to consider these important concepts with their peers and teachers and in doing so develop their understanding of what it means to be a UK citizen..
	We also supported the 'Who Do We Think We Are?' week in June 2008, which encouraged over 500 schools across the country to explore identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils, in their schools, local communities and nationally.
	The Department did not take any particular steps to encourage schools in England to celebrate St. David's Day in 2008.

Schools: Standards

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of educational attainment at schools in the principal seaside towns in England.

Jim Knight: Data on the attainment of pupils in English, mathematics and science at ages 11 and 14 and GCSE and equivalent qualifications is published by Government office region, local authority, district, parliamentary constituency and ward level and can be found at:
	www.dcsf.gov.uk/inyourarea
	We do not publish school performance data by town.
	There are a number of National Challenge schools (where the proportion of pupils achieving five A*-C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics is below 30 per cent.) that are located in or near seaside towns. We are supporting the LAs concerned to develop plans to ensure these schools can improve and achieve above this level by 2011.

Schools: Standards

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what action the Government has taken to improve standards in schools in deprived areas.

Jim Knight: The Government's school standards and school improvement strategies aim to raise standards in all schools, and thanks to a range of measures including increased investment, excellent leadership and teaching; renewed primary and secondary teaching frameworks; better use of pupil data; and the targets schools and local authorities have set for their pupils, school standards have risen substantially since 1997. These have also helped to narrow attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils, whether or not in deprived areas.
	The school funding system allows for a significant additional premium per disadvantaged pupil. Local authorities and schools with high proportions of disadvantaged children therefore receive additional funds to help them improve standards. In addition, the Government support the City Challenge programme which aims to break the link between deprivation and educational under-achievement in London, Greater Manchester and the Black Country.
	Supported by 160 million up to 2011, City Challenge aims to bring about a sharp improvement in under performing schoolsparticularly focusing on English and maths; an increase in the number of outstanding schools; and a narrowing of the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. City Challenge is an expansion of the successful London Challenge programme, which Ofsted reported had a dramatic impact on London schools: reducing the number of secondary schools in special measures, maintaining GCSE results ahead of the national average and narrowing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers more quickly than nationally.
	The National Challenge programme shares the City Challenge objective to break the link between disadvantage and low attainment. The National Challenge seeks to ensure there are no schools where fewer than 30 per cent. of pupils achieve five good GCSEs including English and mathematics by 2011. Over the next three years, we are investing 400 million in the National Challenge, which builds on the successful London Challenge approach in providing bespoke support for schools facing some of the most significant challenges across the country. As in City Challenge areas, National Challenge schools serve areas where pupils are more likely than average to come from deprived backgroundsas shown by eligibility for free school meals. None the less, since there are many schools in similarly adverse socio-economic conditions where more than 30 per cent. of students gain five good GCSEs including English and mathematics, deprivation should not be seen as an excuse for low achievement.

Teachers: Pensions

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers will have received a payment from the Teachers' Pension Scheme in 2008 by the end of the year.

Jim Knight: Data on numbers of members, including pensioners, is available in the published Teachers' Pension Scheme Resource accounts, which are available in the House of Commons Library (reference HC872).

Young Offenders: Essex

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many first time entrants aged between 10 and 17 years to the criminal justice system there were in  (a) Chelmsford local authority area and  (b) Essex County Council area in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: Data on the number of first time entrants to the criminal justice system is provided at the local authority level rather than at district or unitary authority level. The number of first time entrants aged 10 to 17 in Essex local authority over the last five years is outlined as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Number  Rate per 100,000 10 to 17-year-olds( 1) 
			 2000-01 1,831 1,400 
			 2001-02 1,958 1,470 
			 2002-03 1,726 1,270 
			 2003-04 1,836 1,340 
			 2004-05 2,433 1,760 
			 2005-06 2,718 1,960 
			 2006-07 2,549 1,840 
			 2007-08 2,844 2,040 
			 (1) Rounded to the nearest 10. 
		
	
	The number and rate of first time entrants aged 10 to 17 to the criminal justice system is based on data recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).

Bank Services

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors he took into consideration when deciding to  (a) include deposits at Bradford and Bingley (Isle of Man) in his arrangements to transfer Bradford and Bingley deposits to Banco Santander and  (b) exclude Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man) deposits from his arrangements to transfer Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander deposits to ING Direct; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 6 November 2008
	Bradford and Bingley's Isle of Man operation was a subsidiary of Bradford and Bingley plc. When the Government took Bradford and Bingley into temporary public ownership, it automatically acquired the shares in Bradford and Bingley's Isle of Man subsidiary. These were subsequently transferred to Abbey National plc.
	Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man is a subsidiary of the Icelandic parent company, not of the UK sister company. The Treasury's powers to transfer shares in and property of a bank only applies to a UK authorised deposit taker and (to a much more limited extent) its subsidiaries. The powers do not permit the Treasury to transfer shares in or property of the subsidiary of a foreign owned bank.

Banks: Finance

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether banks participating in the Government's recapitalisation scheme will be required not to issue dividends in the next 12 months.

Ian Pearson: The Government have, since the scheme was announced in October, indicated its willingness to consider early repayment of the preference shares that it holds at a price equal to 101 per cent. of par during the first six months, after the closing of the placing and open offer, and, thereafter, at a price to be negotiated based on prevailing market conditions at the time. Such repayment would be subject to FSA approval. As soon as the preference shares are repaid, payment of cash dividends would be permitted.
	The banks have made clear in their public statements their intention to repay the Treasury's preference shares as soon as it is prudent to do so.

Bradford and Bingley

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the monetary value of claims upon the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which will arise from the transfer of Bradford and Bingley deposits to Abbey Santander.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to the hon. Member for St. Albans on 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 935W.

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Data for 2002/2003/2004/2005/2006-07 can be found on the civil service website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp.
	Reliable data before 2002 is not available from HMT electronic systems. There are no set target rates for HMT.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much  (a) his Department,  (b) HM Revenue and Customs,  (c) the Valuation Office Agency and (d) other agencies have spent on (i) flat screen televisions, (ii) DVD players and (iii) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Angela Eagle: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) spent 582 in 2006-07, and 681 in 2007-08, on flat-screen televisions, and 25,227 in 2007-08 on DVD and television combination products.
	The Valuation Office Agency spent 16,740 on flat screen televisions and 9,652 on stereo equipment in 2005-06, 6,838 on flat screen televisions in 2006-07, and 2,056 on flat screen televisions and 178 on DVD players in 2007-08.
	The Debt Management Office spent 8,715 in 2006-07, and 3,335 in 2007-08, on flat-screen televisions. It did not have any such spending in 2005-06.
	OGC.buyingsolutions, an agency of the Office of Government Commerce, spent 3,133 on flat screen televisions in 2005-06. It did not have any such spending in 2006-07 or 2007-08.
	Information in relation to the Treasury in the last three years, and in relation to HMRC for 2005-06, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Television

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the television licence fee in his official Ministerial residence is paid for from public funds.

Angela Eagle: The licence in respect of the Chancellor's private flat is the personal responsibility of the Chancellor.

Dorneywood

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East, of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 174W, on Dorneywood, 
	(1)  on what dates Treasury Ministers used Dorneywood for official engagements in the last 12 months;
	(2)  on how many occasions he has made use of the official Ministerial residence of Dorneywood since he became Chancellor.

Angela Eagle: Ministers and civil servants have used Dorneywood for official events over the past 12 months. Dorneywood is held in trust for use as an official residence, as has been the case under successive Administrations. It is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and is also available to Ministers and their civil servants for official engagements. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such engagements.

Economic Situation: Bank Services

Jamie Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Government plan to introduce to protect the  (a) pensions,  (b) homes and  (c) savings of UK citizens with reference to the recent uncertainty in the international banking sector.

Ian Pearson: The Banking Bill, now before Parliament, makes a number of changes to strengthen the framework for depositor protection and to provide new arrangements for resolving the position of banks in distress. The Financial Services Authority is considering further reforms to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
	The Government launched the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF) in 2005. The PPF pays compensation to members of defined benefit pension scheme where the sponsoring employer becomes insolvent leaving insufficient assets in the scheme. At the same time, the Government created the Pensions Regulator (replacing the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority) to protect the benefits of members of work-based pension schemes.
	As part of the 1 billion housing package announced on 2 September, the Government have already provided support for thousands of vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their homes through a new mortgage rescue scheme. The Government have also increased support available under the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme for the next two years to increase help for some of the most vulnerable homeowners on very low, or no, incomes.
	Building on the September package, at PBR the Chancellor announced further measures to help vulnerable homeowners to stay in their homes, including an extension to the mortgage rescue scheme to cover second charge mortgages. Support for Mortgage Interest was also strengthened through raising the capital limit to 200,000 and maintaining interest payments at 6 per cent. for the next six months, despite the fall in base rate. The PBR announced the formation of a new Lending Panel, which will encourage the highest standards of industry best practice in supporting borrowers with mortgage repayment problems. The major lenders are also committed not to initiate repossession proceedings within at least three months of the account going into arrears. In addition, Government are investing a further 15 million in debt advice services, to ensure all householders facing financial difficulties have access to free and impartial advice when they need it.
	The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to stabilise the banking system, protect savers and taxpayers and support the wider economy.

Economic Situation: Bank Services

Jamie Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulatory changes the Government plans to introduce to ensure better regulation of banks operating in the UK.

Ian Pearson: As the Chancellor made clear in his statement on financial markets to the House of Commons on 6 October 2008, he has asked Adair Turner, the Chairman of the FSA, to make recommendations for regulatory reforms.
	On the basis of recent events in financial markets, which have shown the importance to banks of liquidity as well as capital, the FSA is already considering changes to liquidity requirements. In addition, the Government announced a comprehensive financial support package announced on 8 October and the specific details announced on 13 October detail the steps taken to ensure financial stability. This package of measures has subsequently been replicated throughout the world.

Fiscal Policy

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the multiplies effect of a fiscal boost to the economy through  (a) greater public spending and  (b) tax reductions.

Angela Eagle: The 2008 pre-Budget report announced a discretionary fiscal action of 20 billion, which will deliver a fiscal stimulus of around 1 per cent. of GDP The use of fiscal measures to stimulate demand is discussed in the HM Treasury document. The case for a concerted international fiscal response available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_fiscalresponse.htm
	and a range of evidence on the size and sign of fiscal multipliers is examined in the discussion paper Fiscal Stabilisation and EMU available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/fiscal_stabilisation_and_emu.htm

Horses: Animal Breeding

Mike Hancock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax measures are in place relating to the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses; and whether any such measures provide incentives to breed such horses.

Stephen Timms: There are no tax measures in place which cover the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses specifically.
	HM Revenue and Customs operate a VAT registration scheme for racehorse owners. Owners who comply with the conditions of the scheme are considered to be in business, and are entitled to register for VAT. This means that they can recover VAT incurred on all expenditure connected with racehorse ownership, although they must also charge VAT on sponsorship income, prize money, appearance money, and the sale of racehorses. For the purposes of the scheme, 'owners' include breeders, dealers, trainers and racing clubs. Full details of the scheme are set out in VAT Public Notice 700/67.
	For income and corporation tax purposes, the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses is treated as farming. There are a number of direct tax rules which apply to farming generally, reflecting the particular aspects of farming activity. These rules apply equally to the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses as they do to any other farming business.

Income Tax

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) persons and  (b) households with assets over (i) 1 million, (ii) 5 million, (iii) 10 million and (iv) 20 million; and if he will estimate the revenue which would accrue to the Exchequer of an annual levy of (A) 1 per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over 1 million, (B) 1.5 per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over 5 million, (C) two per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over 10 million and (D) three per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over 20 million.

Stephen Timms: An estimate of the number of individuals with wealth above 1 million for the latest year available is provided in footnote 2 to National Statistics Table 13.5
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal_wealth/table13_5.pdf
	on the HMRC website.
	Equivalent estimates for households and for those with wealth at higher levels are not available.
	Estimates of the revenue from an annual levy on wealth are also not available.

Insolvency

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of company insolvencies in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor in each of the last four years, broken down by  (a) compulsory liquidations,  (b) creditors voluntary liquidations,  (c) company voluntary arrangements,  (d) administrations and  (e) receiverships; and what projections his Department has made for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 24 November 2008
	Details of the numbers of company administrations and receiverships in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor in England and Wales since 2005-06 are as follows:
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09( 1) 
			 Company administrations 2,524 2,315 2,662 3,128 
			 Company receiverships 36 27 18 4 
			 (1) Part year to end of October 2008 
		
	
	The other information is not available in the format requested without disproportionate cost.

Kaupthing Bank

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the assets of Kaupthing Bank that were frozen in the UK belonged to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man).

Ian Pearson: On 8 October, the Treasury made Landsbanki Freezing Order 2008 in order to freeze funds and financial assets relating to Landsbanki. Landsbanki is the only Icelandic bank which has been made the subject of a freezing order.
	On the same day, 8 October, the FSA decided that Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Ltd no longer met the FSA's threshold conditions and the firm went into administration.
	Under UK insolvency law, KSF IoM ranks like any other creditor of KSF-KSF IoM will have been fully aware of this. It could have chosen to put its money elsewhere and to have diversified the deposits made rather than making a single large deposit, which concentrated the credit risk to which it was exposed.

Kaupthing Bank

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of protection applied to deposits with the Derbyshire (Isle of Man) upon its take over by Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Ltd; what action the Government has taken against such deposits; whether any deposits have been transferred to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man); and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Derbyshire Offshore (the trading name for Derbyshire Building Society's Isle of Man subsidiary) was established in the Isle of Man in 1990 and was regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. The transfer of Derbyshire Offshore to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man (KSF IoM) was a commercial decision for the firms concerned and a matter for the Isle of Man authorities including the financial regulator, Isle of Man's Financial Supervision Commission.
	Deposits with both Derbyshire IoM and KSF IoM were subject to the Isle of Man Deposit Compensation Scheme.

Local Government Finance

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual change was in local government expenditure funded by central government in each of the last 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: In England, the year on year increase in total Government grant for local authority revenue expenditure on a like for like basis (taking account of changes in finance or function) is as follows:
	
		
			billion 
			 1998/99 0.995 
			 1999/2000 2.053 
			 2000/01 2.195 
			 2001/02 2.984 
			 2002/03 3.308 
			 2003/04 3.819 
			 2004/05 3.737 
			 2005/06 3.550 
			 2006/07 2.667 
			 2007/08 3.082 
		
	
	This is the increase in gross aggregate external finance (AEF), and includes Formula Grant, redistributed business rates and specific grants within AEF. It does not include capital grants provided by central Government, and excludes Housing Revenue Account Subsidy.
	Spending by local authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a devolved matter for the devolved administrations. However, table 9.13 of 'Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2008' gives information about total local authority identifiable expenditure on services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mortgages: Interest Rates

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on  (a) high street banks in which the Government has purchased an interest and  (b) their subsidiaries passing on reductions in the bank base rate to their mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: As part of its investment, the Government have agreed a range of commitments with banks accessing the recapitalisation scheme. These include agreements to make available affordable products during this period of global turbulence in financial markets, help individuals struggling with their mortgage payments stay in their homes and support the expansion of financial capability initiatives.
	Decisions on lending to individual customers and on mortgage rates remain commercial decisions for the individual banks, based on borrowers' individual circumstances. The banks concerned are expected to review their business strategies in light of the recapitalisations and their commitments.
	In addition, the Government's investments will be managed on a commercial basis by an arm's length company, 'UK Financial Investments Limited' (UKR), whose overarching objective will be to protect and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder with due regard to the maintenance of financial stability and to act in a way that promotes competition. More details can be found in the letter to the chairman of the Treasury Committee (the right hon. John McFall) dated on 3 November from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is available in the House of Commons' Library.

Northern Rock

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2008, whether it is his policy to treat Northern Rock as a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Ian Pearson: During its period of temporary public ownership Northern Rock is being managed on a commercial basis at arm's length from the Government.

Office of Government Commerce: Zanzibar

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 1017-18W, on the Office of Government Commerce: Zanzibar, how much his Department spent on  (a) the development and  (b) the implementation across Government of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service, in each of the last four years.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 14 October 2008
	 This response could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Office of Government Commerce: Zanzibar

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives, procedures or training programmes his Department has to ensure the take up of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service by public sector bodies and government departments.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 17 October 2008
	The following activities are undertaken by OGC.Buying. Solutions to support the take up of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service.
	Buying.Solutions organises and chairs the Zanzibar User Group. All customers are invited to this forum with the aim of learning from others experiences; discussing best practice and sharing a common approach to areas such as supplier adoption which benefits the customer base as a whole.
	Buying.Solutions provides marketing support for the Zanzibar programme by providing customer questions and answers and case studies on a dedicated web page as part of its corporate website. The eCommerce team provides Zanzibar related content for its Public Sector Procurement magazine which is sent to 27,000 subscribers every quarter. In the current year four Zanzibar related articles have been included in the magazine.
	The eCommerce team supports individual customers by participating in their project/programme boards and supports customers at an operational level with regular meetings. The eCommerce team works with customers to ensure that the most strategically important suppliers join the programme and enables the loading of their content to the marketplace.

Pensions: Public Sector

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the unfunded public sector pensions liability; what the liability was in each year since 1980; on what assumptions his estimates are based; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when the next estimate of the public sector unfunded pension liability will be available; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: As shown on page 38 of the Long Term Public Finance Report published on 12 March 2008, the total unfunded public service liabilities are estimated to be 650 billion at 31 March 2006. The three previous comparable estimates of this total were 530 billion at 31 March 2005, 460 billion at 31 March 2004 and 425 billion at 31 March 2003.
	These are notional figures representing all future payments due to individuals who work, have worked, or are dependents of individuals who worked in the public service. The variation in these estimates is primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions, which are set in line with international standards. As the March 2008 Long Term Public Finance Report showed, expenditure on public service pensions over the next 50 years, remains at a sustainable level between 1.5 and 2 per cent. of GDP.
	The estimates for years prior to 2003 were not made on a comparable basis.
	The actuarial assumptions used to value the liabilities of individual schemes are set out in the relevant reports by the scheme actuary and have been reported in scheme resource accounts.
	An updated estimate will be published in due course.

Plain English

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many documents produced by his Department were submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Angela Eagle: I very much regret not being in a position to answer the hon. Member's question before Prorogation. I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Public Sector: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which pension schemes were covered by the Government Actuary's Department's estimate of unfunded public service occupational pension scheme liabilities as at 31 March 2006, set out on page 38 of the 2008 Long Term Public Finance Report.

Yvette Cooper: The liability estimate covers all unfunded public service occupational pension schemes in the UK. These are defined as pension schemes established by statute or by Ministers exercising statutory powers. The main schemes covered by those for the NHS, teachers, civil service, armed forces, police, firefighters, judiciary and the Atomic Energy Authority.

Public Sector: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the aggregate value of contributions received from members of the public sector pension schemes not included in table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses for each year for which information is available since 2007.

Yvette Cooper: Employee contributions to unfunded public service pension schemes not included in table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses are estimated to have been around 0.7 billion and employee contributions to the funded Local Government Pension Schemes are estimated to have been around 2.0 billion in the financial year 2006-07.
	Government do not hold aggregate estimates of employee contributions in the wider public sector.

Public Sector: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government Actuary's Department plans to update its January 2007 paper Unfunded Public Service Pension Schemes 2006 Cashflow Projections: Methodology, Assumptions and Data.

Yvette Cooper: The Government Actuary's Department will publish a paper 'Unfunded public service pension scheme 2007-08 cashflow projections methodology, assumptions and data in due' course.

Repossession Orders: Disadvantaged

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidelines to banks and building societies to encourage them to stop the repossession of homes belonging to vulnerable families, including families with members who are autistic.

Ian Pearson: On 22 October, the Government confirmed that the Master of the Rolls had approved a new protocol for mortgage possession cases, which compliments existing regulation, and sets out clear standards that judges may expect of lenders bringing repossessions cases in the courts.
	Council of Mortgage Lenders guidance also states that lenders following best practice will have an arrears policy which states how the lender treats customers with serious or terminal illness, mental health problems or disability.
	On 2 September, the Government announced a significant package of measures to help borrowers in difficulty, help first time buyers and support the house-building industry. This included a 200 million mortgage rescue scheme, through which the Government will support up to 6,000 of the most vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their home. The scheme is firmly targeted on those families who can no longer afford their repayments, and who would be considered to have a priority need for accommodation under the homelessness legislation. Under the legislation, the priority need categories include, among others, applicants whose household includes a child or pregnant woman and applicants whose household includes someone who is vulnerable for some reason, for example because of mental illness or is ability. In the pre-Budget Report the Chancellor announced an extension of the mortgage rescue scheme to cover second charge lending.
	The Chancellor also announced at Pre-Budget Report 2008 a number of policies which will support households facing financial difficulties.
	The Government are establishing a Lending Panel bringing together government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. There is a commitment for the coming year by the major mortgage lenders on the new panel, not to repossess homes within three months of an owner-occupier going into arrears.
	The Government provide direct support to individuals through Support for Mortgage Interest, which is available to those out of work, and pensioners, delivered through social security benefits. At pre-Budget Report the Government announced that it will make the scheme more generous by increasing the size of the mortgage for which support is payable for new working age claimants from 175,000 to 200,000. In addition, Government will increase net support for beneficiaries of Support for Mortgage Interest through maintaining payments at the current interest rate for the next six months for existing claimants.
	The Government are also determined to ensure that every household struggling with debts can access free and impartial debt advice. The Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget Report 5.85 million additional investment to march 2011 in telephone advice, and 10m to march 2010 invested in Citizens Advice bureaux to expand face-to-face debt advice capacity, to ensure that advice and support is available for borrowers who may need it.

Tax Avoidance Schemes

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has commissioned on the use of avoidance schemes in respect of  (a) income tax and  (b) capital gains tax in the payment of bonuses by companies in the financial services sector in the City of London between 1997-98 and 2007-08; what estimate he has made of the levels of tax avoidance on such bonuses in each of those years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The only estimates the Government have made of the cost of direct tax avoidance schemes during the period 199798 to 2007-08 are contained in the HMRC paper 'Measuring the tax gap- an update' published in March 2008. This is available on the HMRC website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/measuringtax-gap.pdf
	There has been no separate research into, or estimates of, the amount of tax avoidance in the payment of bonuses by companies in the financial services sector in the City of London.

Valuation Office

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 29 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2307-8W, on the Valuation Office: travel, if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the Dublin meeting on valuation practice.

Stephen Timms: A copy of the minutes, of the 47(th) meeting of the steering committee on harmonisation (practice and procedure) England Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland held on 7 and 8 May 2008 in London (not Dublin), have been placed in the Library.

Valuation Office

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 313W, on the Valuation Office, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on investigative work to assess the market coverage and support the Agency's aims.

Stephen Timms: No. The VOA provides valuation services in competition with other providers. The report relates to procurement considerations and to place it in the public domain would weaken the competitive position of the Valuation Office Agency.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual cases of tax credit overpayments his Department has taken to court to seek recovery in  (a) each month of 2008-09 to date and  (b) each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs initiates court action only as a last resort where all attempts to contact the customer have failed.
	The number of court actions initiated through county court (England and Wales)(1), Sheriffs court (Scotland) and magistrates Court (Northern Ireland) for 2006-07, 2007-08 and for each month of 2008-09 to October 2008 for the recovery of tax credit overpayments are in the following table. The information for years prior to 2006-07 is not available.
	(1) For England and Wales these figures relate only to actions commenced centrally and exclude actions commenced by local HMRC debt pursuit offices where it is not possible to readily disaggregate tax credit cases from the total number of local initiated court actions.
	
		
			   Court cases 
			 2006-07 41,122 
			 2007-08 1024 
			 April 2008 450 
			 May 2008 461 
			 June 2008 922 
			 July 2008 943 
			 August 2008 1,417 
			 September 2008 916 
			 October 2008 588 
		
	
	The figure for 2006-07 corrects information I gave on 3 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1810W, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).
	The 2006-07 figure includes a total of 1,671 cases where HM Revenue and Customs initiated court action in Northern Ireland for the recovery of tax credit overpayments. This corrects information given on 12 July 2007,  Official  R eport, column 1589W, in answer to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).
	I very much regret these inadvertent errors which have only just come to light.

Working Tax Credit: Luton

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of persons entitled to  (a) working tax credit and  (b) child tax credit in Luton South constituency claimed each credit in each year since the inception of such tax credits;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of persons entitled to  (a) working tax credit and  (b) child tax credit in Luton South constituency who have not claimed each credit in each year since the inception of such tax credits;

Stephen Timms: Estimates of tax credit take-up rates are not available at constituency level. However, estimates of take-up rates for in-work families with children, at a country and regional level, for 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06, are available in Table 9 of the HMRC publication 'Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit Take-up rates', for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/persona4tax-credits/cwtc-take-up.htm.
	Estimates of the average number of families benefiting from tax credits in each constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes, are available in the HMRC publication 'Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised annual awards. Geographical analyses', for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personaltax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	HMRC do not produce these statistics separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.

Brussels

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by  (a) air and  (b) rail.

Patrick McFadden: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.

Business

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  how many new businesses were started in  (a) Hemel Hempstead,  (b) Hertfordshire and  (c) the UK in each year since 2001;
	(2)  how many VAT registered businesses there were in  (a) Hemel Hempstead,  (b) Hertfordshire and  (c) the UK in each year since 1994.

Ian Pearson: The numbers of businesses registering for VAT and the total number of VAT registered businesses in Hemel Hempstead constituency, Hertfordshire county and the UK are shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT registrations during 2007 and the total number of VAT registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
	
		
			  VAT registrations (indicator of business start-ups) 
			   United Kingdom  Hertfordshire county  Hemel Hempstead constituency 
			 2001 170,015 3,820 285 
			 2002 176,920 3,965 285 
			 2003 191,220 4,300 350 
			 2004 183,780 4,060 325 
			 2005 181,735 4,105 355 
			 2006 182,205 4,105 350 
		
	
	
		
			  Start of year VAT stock( 1) 
			   United Kingdom  Hertfordshire county  Hemel Hempstead constituency 
			 1994 1,621,760 33,375 2,725 
			 1995 1,615,735 33,395 2,695 
			 1996 1,616,940 33,625 2,665 
			 1997 1,633,410 34,320 2,710 
			 1998 1,671,850 35,720 2,960 
			 1999 1,710,645 36,915 3,165 
			 2000 1,740,745 37,715 3,235 
			 2001 1,768,405 38,380 3,215 
			 2002 1,787,890 38,880 3,235 
			 2003 1,810,025 39,395 3,230 
			 2004 1,846,940 40,290 3,300 
			 2005 1,879,415 40,740 3,290 
			 2006 1,917,615 41,690 3,375 
			 2007 1,956,750 42,480 3,480 
			 (1 )Although start of year stock data is available for 2007, data on new VAT registrations during 2007 will not be available until 28 November 2008.  Source:  BERR National Statistics publication Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006 available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	The total number of VAT registered businesses in the UK increased from 1,621,760 at the start of 1994 to 1,956,750 at the start of 2007, an increase of 334,990 (21 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Hertfordshire increased from 33,375 at the start of 1994 to 42,480 at the start of 2007, an increase of 9,105 (27 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Hemel Hempstead constituency increased from 2,735 at the start of 1994 to 3,480 at the start of 2007, an increase of 755 (28 per cent.).
	VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.

Business: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many VAT registered businesses there were in the City of York  (a) constituency and  (b) local authority area in each year since 1994.

Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
	The number of businesses registered for VAT in City York constituency and in York unitary authority area between the start of 1997 and at the start of 2007 is shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT-registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
	
		
			  City of York constituency: VAT-registered business 
			   VAT-registered business  at start of year 
			 1994 2,120 
			 1995 2,120 
			 1996 2,115 
			 1997 2,095 
			 1998 2,140 
			 1999 2,175 
			 2000 2,215 
			 2001 2,260 
			 2002 2,310 
			 2003 2,315 
			 2004 2,400 
			 2005 2,475 
			 2006 2,560 
			 2007 2,630 
		
	
	
		
			  York unitary authority: VAT-registered business 
			   VAT-registered business  at start of year 
			 1994 4,055 
			 1995 4,050 
			 1996 4,070 
			 1997 4,090 
			 1998 4,180 
			 1999 4,275 
			 2000 4,360 
			 2001 4,485 
			 2002 4,585 
			 2003 4,695 
			 2004 4,850 
			 2005 4,970 
			 2006 5,090 
			 2007 5,175 
			  Source: BERR National Statistics publication 'Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006' available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	The number of VAT-registered businesses in City of York constituency rose from 2,120 at the start of 1994 to 2,630 at the start of 2007a rise of 24 per cent. compared with a rise of 28 per cent. in York Unitary Authority, and an average rise of 21 per cent. across the UK.
	VAT registrations do not capture ail business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: The following figures show information relating to the purchase and installation of flat screen TV's and associated equipment (which may include some DVD players) by BERR's and its predecessors Estates and Communications teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to date. Information is not held centrally for any similar purchases made by other individual Directorates within the Department, nor can we separate purchase from installation costs. To attempt to provide both would incur disproportionate costs.
	
		
			
			 2006 4,817 
			 2007 4,029 
			 2008 41,065 
		
	
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies
	House and they will respond to you directly.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 November 2008:
	The Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply directly to you in respect of your question (2007/4593) asking how much his Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.
	The Insolvency Service, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has spent the following amounts on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years:
	
		
			   
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Flat screen televisions 6,759.10 19,454.55 8,256.73 
			 DVD Players 234.98 43.17 104.64 
			 Stereo equipment 0 0 0 
		
	
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 26 November 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	Companies House has spent 1,789.52 on televisions in 2008. No other televisions, DVD players or stereo equipment have been purchased in the last three years.

Departmental Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many Questions for written answer were tabled to his Department and its predecessor in Session  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06,  (e) 2006-07 and  (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost.

Patrick McFadden: The information, which is available on the Parliamentary Information Management System (PIMS) was, at 18 November 2008, as follows:
	
		
			  Session  Number of written questions tabled  Of which: Received a Prorogation reply  Of which: Cited disproportionate cost 
			 2007-08 3,410  117 
			 2006-07 (1)2,913 44 101 
			 2005-06 5,130 33 151 
			 2004-05 1,333 102 40 
			 2003-04 3,822 104 96 
			 2002-03 3,508 14 90 
			 (1) Of which 2,100 DTI and 813 BERR

New Businesses: Kent

Damian Green: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many new businesses were started in  (a) Kent and  (b) Ashford constituency in each year since 2001.

Ian Pearson: The numbers of businesses registering for VAT and the total number of VAT registered businesses in the county of Kent and in Ashford constituency are shown in the following tables.
	Data for the number of VAT registrations during 2007 will be available 28 November 2008.
	
		
			  VAT registrations 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Kent county(1) 4,120 4,405 4,695 4,355 4,245 4,515 
			 Ashford constituency 395 425 470 470 430 455 
		
	
	
		
			  Start of year VAT stock( 2) 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Kent county(1) 40,705 41,465 42,325 43,520 44,335 44,855 45,980 
			 Ashford constituency 4,040 4,085 4,150 4,290 4,400 4,425 4,550 
			 (1) Kent county excludes Medway unitary authority (2) Although start of year stock data is available for 2007, data on new VAT registrations during 2007 will not be available until 28 November 2008.  Source: BERR National Statistics publication 'Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006' available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	Although the number of new registrations has fluctuated since 2001, the total number of VAT registered businesses in Kent increased from 40,705 at the start of 2001 to 45,980 at the start of 2007, an increase of 5,275 (13 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Ashford constituency increased from 4,040 at the start of 2001 to 4,550 at the start of 2007, an increase of 510 (13 per cent.).
	VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.

Small Businesses: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small to medium sized enterprises were registered in the Leeds West constituency between 1997 and 2008.

Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
	The number of businesses registered for VAT in Leeds West constituency for the start of 1997 to at the start of 2007 is shown in the table below. Data for the number of VAT-registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
	Only data for businesses of all sizes registered for VAT is published by BERR. However, it is estimated that the majority (97.9 per cent) of these will be small (with fewer than 50 employees) and 1.7 per cent will be medium-sized (with 50-249 employees).
	
		
			  Number of VAT-registered businesses in Leeds West parliamentary constituency 
			   Start of year stock of VAT-registered businesses 
			 1997 1,285 
			 1998 1,295 
			 1999 1,335 
			 2000 1,355 
			 2001 1,400 
			 2002 1,415 
			 2003 1,440 
			 2004 1,470 
			 2005 1,515 
			 2006 1,575 
			 2007 1,645 
			  Source: BERR National Statistics publication 'Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006' available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	The number of VAT-registered businesses in Leeds West parliamentary constituency rose from 1,285 at the start of 1997 to 1,645 at the start of 2007a rise of 28 per cent. compared with an average rise of nearly 20 per cent. across UK.
	VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 61,000 at the start of 2007. Only 1.96 million out of 4.7 million UK enterprises (42 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2007.

Small Businesses: North East

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of businesses in  (a) the North East and  (b) each parliamentary constituency in the North East are small businesses.

Ian Pearson: BERR SME Statistics provide the most comprehensive data on the number of small businesses in the UK. These statistics include VAT and PAYE-registered employers as well as estimates of the unregistered business population.
	Businesses are classified as small if they have between zero and 49 employees. The following table the number of small business and the proportion of businesses which are small in the North East at the start of 2007. Data for 2008 will be available in summer 2009.
	
		
			  Small Businesses in the North East 
			   Number/percentage 
			 Number of (registered and unregistered) small businesses 132,480 
			 Proportion of businesses which are small (percentage) 99.1 
			  Source: BERR SME Statistics 2007 http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/sme/ 
		
	
	Since 1997, the number of small business in the North East has increased by 38 per cent.
	A breakdown by parliamentary constituency is not available from BERR SME Statistics. However, The Office for National Statistics UK Business publication provides a breakdown of businesses registered for VAT and/or PAYE by size and parliamentary constituency. Since ONS statistics include only the registered business population, they exclude the very smallest businesses. The figures are therefore lower than the BERR SME Statistics.
	The following table shows the number and proportion of small business in the North East and in each parliamentary constituency in the North East as of March 2008.
	
		
			  Region or parliamentary constituency  Number of registered small businesses  Proportion of registered businesses which are small (percentage) 
			 North East Region 55,765 97.5 
			
			 Berwick-upon-Tweed 2,990 99.0 
			 Bishop Auckland 2,865 98.6 
			 Blaydon 1,895 97.7 
			 Blyth Valley 1,475 97.0 
			 City of Durham 1,975 96.8 
			 Darlington 1,880 96.9 
			 Easington 1,215 97.2 
			 Gateshead East and Washington West 1,335 97.4 
			 Hartlepool 1,660 96.8 
			 Hexham 3,795 99.2 
			 Houghton and Washington East 1,580 97.8 
			 Jarrow 1,320 97.4 
			 Middlesbrough 1,775 96.5 
			 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 1,625 98.2 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Central 2,370 96.9 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend 1,310 97.8 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne North 1,285 97.3 
			 North Durham 1,590 97.5 
			 North Tyneside 1,335 95.7 
			 North West Durham 2,365 97.7 
			 Redcar 1,365 97.2 
			 Sedgefield 2,290 97.7 
			 South Shields 1,150 97.5 
			 Stockton North 1,580 96.6 
			 Stockton South 2,465 97.6 
			 Sunderland North 1,540 97.2 
			 Sunderland South 1,120 97.4 
			 Tyne Bridge 3,010 95.3 
			 Tynemouth 2,065 97.6 
			 Wansbeck 1,540 98.4 
			  Source: Office for National StatisticsUK Business: Activity, Size and Location2008 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=933

Smarta

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he expects Smarta to go live.

Ian Pearson: The SMARTA website is a private sector enterprise, of which the Department is aware but has no direct involvement in its day-to-day operations.

VAT: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many VAT  (a) registrations and  (b) de- registrations there were in the City of York (i) constituency and (ii) local authority area in each year since 1994.

Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
	The number of businesses registering for VAT and the number of businesses de-registering in City of York constituency and in York Unitary Authority are shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT registrations and VAT de-registrations during 2007 will be available 28 November 2008.
	
		
			  City of York constituency: VAT registrations and de-registrations 
			   Registrations  De-registrations 
			 1994 210 210 
			 1995 220 225 
			 1996 195 215 
			 1997 235 185 
			 1998 215 180 
			 1999 235 195 
			 2000 235 190 
			 2001 225 175 
			 2002 205 200 
			 2003 260 170 
			 2004 250 175 
			 2005 280 200 
			 2006 245 175 
		
	
	
		
			  York  u nitary authority: VAT registrations and de-registrations 
			   Registrations  De-registrations 
			 1994 370 370 
			 1995 410 390 
			 1996 395 375 
			 1997 435 340 
			 1998 415 325 
			 1999 430 340 
			 2000 460 335 
			 2001 440 345 
			 2002 490 380 
			 2003 520 365 
			 2004 465 345 
			 2005 525 410 
			 2006 475 390 
			  Source: BERR National Statistics publication 'Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006' available at: httD://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	The number of new VAT registrations exceeded the number of de-registrations in every year since 1997 in both the City of York constituency and in York Unitary Authority.
	VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.

Rape Crisis Centres

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what progress she has made on providing emergency funding support for rape crisis centres.

Maria Eagle: 19 rape crisis centres have been awarded grants from the second and final round of this special fund, to a total of nearly 706,000, ensuring that they have been able to remain open.
	The Government continue to step up on action to tackle the menace of rape and bring offenders to justice. The latest figures show that in 2006 there were nearly 800 convictions for rape, compared to just over 500 in 1997, an increase of over 45 per cent.

Domestic Violence

John Robertson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she plans to take to encourage individuals who are victims of domestic violence to seek assistance to prevent continued abuse.

Maria Eagle: Providing support services for victims of domestic violence is central to the Governments' National Domestic Violence Plan. Services include provision of Government funding for a network of national telephone helplines as well as ensuring that multi-agency risk assessment conferences are established across England and Wales by 2011.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much  (a) the Government Equalities Office and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Since its inception on 12 October 2007, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has spent 31,991 on external consultancy costs. The details of which are tabled below:
	
		
			  Date  Consultancy  Cost () 
			 April to May 2008 Single Equality Scheme 10,389 
			 May 2008 Research Strategy and Seminars (1)19,847 
			 September 2008 Women's National Commission Memorandum of Understanding 1,755 
			 Total  31,991 
			 (1) Costs to date. 
		
	
	The GEO also sponsors the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Commission has spent a total of 213,650 on external consultancy since 1 October 2007.

Cemeteries

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission to local authority chief executives in 2004 on memorial safety.

Jonathan R Shaw: The letter sent from the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission to local authority chief executives on 1 June 2004 has been placed in the Library. The Health and Safety Executive continues to stress the need for a sensible, proportionate and risk-based approach to managing memorial safety. Health and Safety Executive is supporting the Ministry of Justice and representatives from across the burial industry in finalising guidance on how to manage the risk associated with unstable memorials. It is expected that the advice will be published and circulated in the next few weeks.

Coastal Areas: Departmental Coordination

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Work and Pensions works closely with a range of other Departments on policy affecting people in coastal towns. This includes working in partnership with the regional development agencies coastal towns network to improve analysis and evidence on the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns as well as exploring the scope of local area agreements, and possibly multi-area agreements, as strategic mechanisms for improving coastal town regeneration outcomes. The Department is also closely involved in work examining employment and skill levels and what can be done to improve outcomes in these areas.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Details of the Department's total expenditure on external consultancy for each year from ifs inception in 2001-02 is provided in the following table. Separate figures of expenditure by Agency are not available. The Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) procure consultancy separately via their own de-centralised procurement functions and related details of expenditure are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  DWP external management and IT consultancy spend from 2001-02 (inclusive of VAT) 
			   million 
			   Consultancy expenditure 
			 2001-2 94.46 
			 2002-3 139.04 
			 2003-4 306.72 
			 2004-5 168.37 
			 2005-6 130.29 
			 2006-7 162.62 
			 2007-8 76.43

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in  (a) his Department,  (b) its non-departmental public bodies and  (c) its agencies in each of the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: Press officers and communications officers are employed across the Organisation and paid for out of many different budgets. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service. Information on costs is not held centrally and could be obtained at disproportionate cost only.
	A regional network of press officers across the English regions, Scotland and Wales was established in 2002/03 dealing with regional media.
	In addition to its responsibilities to the Department for Work and Pensions, the press office provides services for Jobcentre Plus, The Pension, Disability and Carers Service and Child Support Agency.
	
		
			   Press Officers 
			 2001-02 21 
			 2002-03 29 
			 2003-04 40 
			 2004-05 42 
			 2005-06 45 
			 2006-07 44 
			 2007-08 40 
			 2008-09 (as at 24 November) 42 
		
	
	For Special Advisors, I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-150WS.

Departmental NDPBs

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed by  (a) Jobcentre Plus, (b) the Health and Safety Executive,  (c) the Pensions Regulator and  (d) the Pension Protection Fund in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08.

Tony McNulty: The following table shows the number of staff employed at 31 March for each of the years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 for Jobcentre Plus and the Health and Safety Executive. For the Pension Regulator and the Pensions Protection Fund the table shows an average of headcount for each of the aforementioned years as this is the normal basis on which these units report staffing information.
	
		
			  Business area  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Jobcentre Plus 79,366 75,906 74,341 
			 Health and Safety Executive 4,006 3,797 3,805 
			 Pensions Regulator 288 325 328 
			 Pensions Protection Fund 64 99 151 
			  Notes: 1. HSE figures include agency staff and staff in the Health and Safety Laboratory which is an in-house agency of HSE. 2. HSE figures at 1 April 2007 include staff in the Office for Civil Nuclear Security and the UK Safeguards Office who transferred from DTI on that date. 3. HSE figures at 1 April 2008 include staff in the Pesticides Safety Directorate who transferred to HSE from DEFRA on that date.

Departmental Pay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is as follows.
	 End of Year Performance Bonuses
	DWP employees in pay bands below the senior civil service are eligible for an annual individual performance bonus if they attain a Top, Higher or Majority rating under the annual Performance and Development System. The amount of bonus awarded is differentiated on the basis of employee's pay band and the performance level achieved.
	For the senior civil service end of year bonuses are determined on an individual basis by the relevant DWP SCS Pay Committee.
	Performance awards from the year 2006-07 are paid in the financial year 2007-08.
	A total of 36.61 million was paid in performance bonuses in the 2007-08 financial year broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Table 1 : D epartmental total 
			  Financial year  Total paid ( million)  Total number of recipients 
			 2007-08 36.61 113,425 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Total at grades below SCS 
			  Financial year  Total paid ( million)  Total number of recipients 
			 2007-08 34.88 113,223 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Total at SCS 
			  Financial year  Total paid ( million)  Number of recipients 
			 2007-08 1.73 202 
			  Notes: 1. The information in tables 1 and 2 is based on the numbers of employees recorded on the DWP payroll systems as having received a qualifying performance mark. These are headcount. 2. Some individuals may have received more than one type of bonus payment in the year, which is why the information has been presented separately and not as an aggregated total. 3. The performance bonus is paid in the financial year following the performance year of 1 April to 31 March. 4. The total amount paid includes Employers National Insurance Contribution (ERNIC). 
		
	
	Individuals may also be entitled to special bonus payments either as cash or vouchers. These are one-off recognition awards, payable at any time during the performance year and are not linked to the annual pay award.
	The cost in a typical year for cash bonuses is around 2.7 million with payments made to approximately 11,250 individuals.
	The cost for voucher payments was 1.77 million in 2007-08. 31,237 vouchers were issued, however some individuals might have received more than one voucher.

Departmental Translation Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on providing translation services for customers in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The DWP provides a range of language translation services for customers across the UK, namely:
	Face to Face
	Telephone
	Welsh
	Braille
	Audio.
	We are also able to offer a service to convert documents into Easy Read format.
	The contractual arrangements for the services have been developed over a number of years and as a result spend has not been applicable for some of these services in each of the last five years or data has not been able to be gathered for spend during some years. Disproportionate cost would be incurred in trying to identify such spend.
	The range of services also includes the translation of departmental information leaflets that are provided to customers into a range of ethnic languages, as well as all publications for Welsh speaking customers.
	The following table contains the spend across the DWP for all translation services as recorded on a number of departmental systems and as reported in previous PQ's or FOI requests.
	
		
			  Type of translation service  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09( 1) 
			 Face to Face and Telephone 2,643,448 2,967,756 3,443,334 4,496,008 3,515,722 1,452,800 
			 Ethnic (2) (2) 120,720 267,500 134,945 159,166 
			 Welsh 24,973 30,855 20,766 50,759 65,789 40,787 
			 Braille (2) (2) (2) (2) 45,309 44,879 
			 Audio (2) (2) (2) (2) 35,572 14,977 
			 Easy Read (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 
			 Totals 2,668,421 2,998,611 3,584,820 4,814,267 3,797,337 1,712,609 
			 (1 )Year to date August 2008. (2) Not available without disproportionate cost as data not held centrally.

Employee Assistance Programme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 77W, on Employee Assistance Programme, how many requests from staff for services have been received by the Department's Employee Assistance Programme in each category of reason recorded in each year since the programme was established; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following table provides the information requested for DWP usage of the Employee Assistance Programme. The numbers relate to issues raised under a particular category. An individual may have presented with more than one issue under different categories.
	There have been several changes in how the information is captured throughout the three years.
	
		
			  Personal presenting issues  July 2005 to June 2006  July 2006 to June 2007  July 2007 to Jun 2008 
			 Finance 230 143 48 
			 Housing 83 73 13 
			 Information 413 591 155 
			 Legal 1,477 61 14 
			 Emotional/Personal(1)   1643 
			 Relationship/Family Issues 2,343 2,255 388 
			 Work/Career(1)   929 
			 Drugs/Alcohol 154 128 72 
			 Work-Life balance(1)   138 
			 Health Related issues 1,443 1,704 1027 
			 Bereavement 477 567 515 
			 Domestic Violence 84 221 62 
			 
			  Work/Career Related
			 Absence/Attendance 60 73 32 
			 Abuse ViolencePublic 76 71 21 
			 Abuse ViolenceColleague 34 29 8 
			 Bullying/Harassment 268 238 53 
			 Changes at work 349 780 99 
			 Discipline/Grievance 229 171 82 
			 Health 456 625 184 
			 Information 77 115 39 
			 Performance 283 300 133 
			 Relationships at work 383 357 79 
			 
			  HSE Categories from September 2007( 2)
			 Relationship Dissatisfaction   112 
			 Role Performance   259 
			 Organisational Changes   166 
			 Unclear Role definition   48 
			 Control Overwork (Internal)   135 
			 External Pressures   55 
			 Inappropriate Work Demands   83 
			 Bullying/Harassment/Aggression   258 
			 Racism/Discrimination   16 
			 Resources  Training   34 
			 Support from Management   174 
			 Support Systems   150 
			 
			  Helpline Information  Advice( 1)
			 Childcare/Eldercare   3 
			 Health Related   58 
			 Information re Corecare Services   479 
			 Signposted to External Support   213 
			 Signposted to Payplan   18 
			 Referred back to Employer   113 
			 Referred to GP   34 
			 Other   71 
			 
			  Face to Face Counselling
			 Finance 210 114 49 
			 Housing 102 55 146 
			 Information 20 22 5 
			 Legal 59 79 7 
			 Emotional/Personal(1)   1,774 
			 Relationship/Family Issues 2,163 1,683 1,813 
			 Work/Career(1)   1,009 
			 Drugs/Alcohol 155 109 122 
			 Work-Life balance(1)   298 
			 Health Related issues 1,296 1,320 1,030 
			 Bereavement 502 396 594 
			 Domestic Violence 92 85 113 
			 
			  Work/Career Related
			 Absence/Attendance 168 65 110 
			 Abuse ViolencePublic 68 57 31 
			 Abuse ViolenceColleague 31 22 10 
			 Bullying/Harassment 152 166 34 
			 Changes at work 550 319 79 
			 Discipline/Grievance 152 105 54 
			 Health 435 473 147 
			 Information 37 48 63 
			 Performance 318 301 113 
			 Relationships at work 322 226 62 
			 
			  HSE Categories from September 2007( 2)
			 Relationship Dissatisfaction   184 
			 Role Performance   355 
			 Organisational Changes   268 
			 Unclear Role definition   95 
			 Control Over Work (Internal)   238 
			 External Pressures   144 
			 Inappropriate Work Demands   188 
			 Bullying/Harassment/Aggression   263 
			 Racism/Discrimination   45 
			 Resources  Training   82 
			 Support from Management   298 
			 Support Systems   159 
			 
			  Legal Helpline Statistics( 1)
			 Financial/debt  593 540 
			 Employment Law  1,369 1,252 
			 Marital Family  1,654 1,319 
			 Consumer/Credit  521 377 
			 Motor  155 168 
			 Landlord Tenancy  549 493 
			 Personal Injury  133 399 
			 other  715 648 
			 (1 )New category from July 2007 (2 )From September 2007 presenting categories brought in line with HSE Management Standards .  Note: Information collected only from July 2006.

Employment and Support Allowance: Manpower

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many additional staff were operating in benefit delivery centres specifically to implement the new employment and support allowance on 27 October 2008, broken down by  (a) fixed-term employees,  (b) full-time employees and  (c) casual staff; and how many additional staff in each category he expects to be operating in this capacity at the end of each of the next six months.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many additional staff he expects to operate in benefit delivery centres specifically to implement the new employment and support allowance (a) at 27th October 2008 and (b) at the end of each of the next six months, broken down by (i) fixed-term employees, (ii) full-time employees and (iii) casual staff. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus has not recruited additional staff specifically to administer Employment and Support Allowance. We have, however, recruited additional customer facing staff so that experienced staff could be released to undertake the training required to deliver Employment and Support Allowance. Of the 2,125 people recruited, 982 will work within the Benefit Delivery Centre network.
	Information broken down by full and part-time or contract type could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Employment Schemes

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what guidance is given by Jobcentre Plus to staff on how long a work-focussed interview should be and how much time should be taken to follow up each work-focussed interview; and how many work-focussed interviews were carried out in each Jobcentre Plus  (a) district and  (b) region in each of the last 12 months, broken down by benefit claimed;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the maximum number of work-focussed interviews that can be carried out in each month with current staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus in each  (a) district and  (b) region, broken down by benefit claimed;
	(3)  what the average number of work-focussed interviews attended by claimants was in each of the last five years, broken down by benefit claimed.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the questions you asked in relation to Work Focused Interviews. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. The questions are as follows:
	What guidelines are given by Jobcentre Plus to staff on how long a work-focused interview should be and how much time should be taken to follow up each work-focused interview; how many work-focused interviews were carried out in each Jobcentre Plus (a) district and (b) region in each of the last 12 months broken down by benefit claimed.
	What estimate he has made of the maximum number of work-focused interviews that can be carried out in each month with current staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus in each (a) district and (b) region broken down by benefit claimed.
	What the average number of work-focused interviews attended by claimants was in each of the last five years broken down by benefit.
	Jobcentre Plus conducts a wide range of different interviews to meet both business and customer needs. Guidance to staff outlines the purpose and content of each interview type and the average length of time these should take, but this will vary in practice depending upon individual customer needs. Advisers also have guidance on pre-and post-interview activities. The actual time taken for these activities will also vary, depending upon the type of interview and the needs of the individual. However, our 2008/09 resource allocation allows an average of 10 minutes per interview.
	In terms of the specific interview times, these are derived from work measurement studies, which are used to assess the range of activities that must be undertaken and/or could be undertaken. These result in average interview times, which are used as part our resource allocation methodology.
	The information on the number of work-focused interviews that have been carried out in each Jobcentre Plus District and Region in the last 12 months broken down by benefit claimed has been placed in the Library.
	It is not possible to state the maximum number of work focused interviews that can be carried out each month. Benchmark numbers are used because we have numerous different interview times for each client group/activity and the mix of clients at any given time will be variable.
	The table below contains the average number of Jobcentre Adviser interviews conducted each month in the last five years, broken down by benefit type. For 2004/05 only 2 months data is available. Therefore the figures for 2004/05 reflect the monthly average based on 2 months available.
	
		
			  Average monthly interviews attended by year 
			  Benefit  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09( 1) 
			 Incapacity benefit 36,732 60,064 82,588 99,274 96,064 
			 Jobseekers allowance 216,159 376,635 541,367 612,766 724,263 
			 Income support 31,586 58,247 82,241 101,910 127,928 
			   
			 Total 284,477 494,946 706,196 813,950 948,255 
			 (1 )2008-09 monthly average is based on seven months available data  Source: Business Information System (Customer Meetingsinterview typeall)

Employment: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unfilled job vacancies at York Jobcentre there were on  (a) 1 January and  (b) 1 July in each year since 2004.

Tony McNulty: The preferred source of information on job vacancies is the ONS Vacancy Survey, which provides comprehensive estimates of all vacancies in the economy, not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.
	The figures available are the numbers of vacancies notified by employers to Jobcentre Plus. The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of live unfilled job vacancies at York Jobcentre 
			   Number 
			 July 2004 4,506 
			   
			 January 2005 3,650 
			 July 2005 3,181 
			   
			 January 2006 2,653 
			 July 2006 1,575 
			   
			 January 2007 1,190 
			 July 2007 1,856 
			   
			 January 2008 1,993 
			 July 2008 1,672 
			  Notes: 1. Jobcentre Plus handles only a proportion of vacancies notified by employers. Consequently the figures do not represent the total number of job vacancies available in York. The proportion of vacancies which are notified by employers to Jobcentre Plus varies over time, according to the occupation and industry of the vacancies and also by geographical area. 2. Interpretation of the Jobcentre vacancy data should take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. The figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate changes in labour demand. 3. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only. 4. This information is published at www.nomisweb.co.uk.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System

Housing Benefit: Age

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of abolishing the single room rent and paying housing benefit claimants the same rate of benefit irrespective of their age.

Kitty Ussher: The cost of abolishing the housing benefit single room rent and shared room rate has been broadly estimated to be at least 20 million per year.
	It is important to note that these are indicative estimates only. They are based on analysis of the pre-Local housing allowance system of housing benefit and may be subject to change as more up-to-date information becomes available.

Illegal Immigrants: Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the letter of 14th July 2008 from the Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform to the hon. Member for Hertsmere, how many illegal migrant workers have been removed; how many illegal migrant workers have been prosecuted for use of a false or hijacked national insurance number; and how many employers have been prosecuted as a result of the UK Borders Agency enforcement campaign against illegal working in the security industry.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 6 October 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	I will write to the honourable Member.

Incapacity Benefit

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1202W, on unemployment benefits, what his Department's forecast was for expenditure on incapacity benefit in each of the next five years had the employment and support allowance not been introduced.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 13 November 2008
	Expenditure on incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance payable at employment and support allowance rates or alternatively at incapacity benefit rates are tabled as follows. These are based on latest pre-Budget report projections and exclude housing benefit/council tax benefit impactswhich add further to the cost of paying employment and support allowance as opposed to incapacity benefit rates.
	
		
			  Benefit expenditure, (nominal terms), Great Britain 
			   millions 
			   Incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance  Incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance payable at incapacity benefit rates  Impact of employment and support allowance rates 
			 2008-09 12,644 12,646 -2 
			 2009-10 12,872 12,840 32 
			 2010-11 12,645 12,558 87 
			 2011-12 12,800 12,718 82 
			 2012-13 12,956 12,898 58 
			 2008-09 to 2012-13 63,918 63,661 257 
			  Notes:  1. Figures include incapacity-related income support directed at the short-term sick and long-term sick and disabled and severe disablement allowance.  2. Figures for 'incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance', 2008-09 to 2010-11, underlie the 2008 pre-Budget report Government spending plans. Figures for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are projections.  3. Figures for the impacts of employment and support allowance rates exclude the additional annually managed expenditure impacts on housing benefit and council tax benefit.  4. Figures relate to expenditure on working-age adult claimants.  5. Figures are on a resource accounting and budgeting basis. There may be differences between figures quoted in these tables and those quoted in Department for Work and Pensions Accounts.  Source:  DWP autumn 2008 forecasts and projections.

Income Support: Mortgages

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 704W, on income support: mortgage costs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households that will not be eligible under the proposed new arrangement due to a partner or spouse working 24 hours or more a week.

Kitty Ussher: We estimate that on average over the past three years for which figures are available (2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07), that there were 30,000 couples each year who interest but for the fact that their partner was in remunerative work of 24 hours or more a week.
	These estimates are for those people whose circumstances are that: they are not working; they are members of a couple; they are owner-occupiers; they have a mortgage; they have a partner who works 24 hours a week, or more; and they would otherwise have had entitlement to income support or income-based jobseekers allowance. No account has been taken of the duration of claim, or the support for mortgage interest qualifying period.
	 Notes
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000.
	 Source
	DWP Take Up 2006-07, 2005-06 and 2004-05 datasets

Jobcentre Plus: Pay

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average salary was for Jobcentre Plus employees in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) sex.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the average salary was for Jobcentre Plus employees in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by (a) region and (b) sex. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Whilst we do have average staff cost information for the whole of Jobcentre Plus the information is not readily available by region or sex. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	The table below provides the average staff cost for Jobcentre Plus for each year since 1 April 2002.
	
		
			  Average staff cost for Jobcentre Plus employees 
			  000 
			  Financial year  Average staff costs 
			 2002-03 20 
			 2003-04 21 
			 2004-05 23 
			 2005-06 26 
			 2006-07 26 
			 2007-08 27 
			  Notes:  1. The staff costs are the costs incurred by Jobcentre Plus in employing the staff and include superannuation and earnings related NI contributions. The average staff costs shown will therefore be higher than the average salary that individuals actually received.  2. The employee numbers used in calculating the average are the full-time equivalents (FTEs) and not an actual count of employees, i.e. 1 FTE could be one full-time member of staff or two or more part-time members.  3. Staff costs are rounded to the nearest thousand.   Source:  Jobcentre Plus Statutory Accounts for 2002-03 through to 2007-08.

Jobcentre Plus: Wales

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the service made available by the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service for Wales; and what steps he takes to ensure service provision reflects local rates of unemployment.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the service made available by the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service for Wales and what steps are taken to ensure service provision reflects local rates of unemployment. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus will offer a Rapid Response Service to all employers declaring 20 or more redundancies. It will also offer support where there are clusters of redundancies which require extra measures to help people find work. It was announced on 12 November that the DWP is doubling the funding for Jobcentre Plus' Rapid Response Service from 3m to 6m for this financial year. Wales will have direct access to the funding.
	Through the Rapid Response Service, Jobcentre Plus and Welsh Assembly Government colleagues can help workers with information about other jobs within the labour market, including: matching them to known vacancies; helping them to draw up CVs and improve their job search skills; providing information about how to claim benefits until they do find work; and, with local partners, providing advice on skills and training. We will keep under review the level of take up of the Rapid Response Services, making sure we meet the needs of local business.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of people flowing off jobseeker's allowance moved  (a) into employment,  (b) onto other benefits and  (c) to an unknown destination in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The total number of people flowing off Jobseeker's Allowance is decreasing in line with the numbers claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The percentage of people leaving with an unknown destination recorded has increased over the last 10 years. This is because the completion levels of the JSA40 form (forms filled in by people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance) have decreased over this period. This should be taken into account when interpreting these statistics, as many of these 'unknown' leavers will have moved into employment.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Numbers of people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance by year and destination 
			   Employment  Other Benefit  Other reason  Not known or not recorded  Total 
			 1998 1,661,115 247,965 362,095 765,630 3,036,805 
			 1999 1,620,690 241,315 404,580 842,535 3,109,120 
			 2000 1,513,330 233,530 395,650 848,380 2,990,890 
			 2001 1,365,610 209,605 333,440 823,180 2,731,835 
			 2002 1,290,665 199,425 364,155 866,775 2,721,020 
			 2003 1,207,220 194,900 364,050 869,690 2,635,860 
			 2004 1,078,390 180,815 344,215 857,735 2,461,155 
			 2005 957,985 169,355 311,640 886,720 2,325,700 
			 2006 957,400 180,790 316,135 1,013,985 2,468,310 
			 2007 931,615 193,025 363,450 1,065,035 2,553,125 
			 2008(1) 738,870 150,300 318,350 888,390 2,095,910 
			 (1) January to October. 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage distribution by destination of all people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance 
			   Employment  Other Benefit  Other reason  Not known or not recorded 
			 1998 54.7 8.2 11.9 25.2 
			 1999 52.1 7.8 13.0 27.1 
			 2000 50.6 7.8 13.2 28.4 
			 2001 50.0 7.7 12.2 30.1 
			 2002 47.4 7.3 13.4 31.9 
			 2003 45.8 7.4 13.8 33.0 
			 2004 43.8 7.3 14.0 34.9 
			 2005 41.2 7.3 13.4 38.1 
			 2006 38.8 7.3 12.8 41.1 
			 2007 36.5 7.6 14.2 41.7 
			 2008(1) 35.2 7.2 15.2 42.4 
			 (1) January to October. 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage distribution by destination of people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance to known destinations 
			   Employment  Other benefit  Other 
			 1998 73.1 10.9 15.9 
			 1999 71.5 10.6 17.8 
			 2000 70.6 10.9 18.5 
			 2001 71.5 11.0 17.5 
			 2002 69.6 10.8 19.6 
			 2003 68.4 11.0 20.6 
			 2004 67.3 11.3 21.5 
			 2005 66.6 11.8 21.7 
			 2006 65.8 12.4 21.7 
			 2007 62.6 13.0 24.4 
			 2008(1) 61.2 12.4 26.4 
			 (1) January to October. N otes: 1. Figures are for Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. The percentage of claimant off-flows with no destination recorded has increased over the last 10 years, which should be taken into account when interpreting these statistics. 3. This information is published on the Nomis website at www.nomisweb.co.uk  Source:  Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only).

Jobseeker's Allowance

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of non-UK EU citizens who are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance while resident in another EU member state; what discussions he has had with other EU member states about the payment of jobseeker's allowance to non-UK EU citizens who are resident in such states; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 10 November 2008
	It is not possible to estimate the number of non-UK EU citizens who are in receipt of contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance while resident in another EU member state. Contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance is only payable abroad for up to three months. From the available information it is not possible to differentiate between UK EU citizens and non-UK EU citizens.
	The UK contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance is payable by the foreign Employment Services only if the jobseeker remains unemployed, continues to register as a person seeking work and continues to comply with the control procedures in the country where they are seeking work.
	Modernisation of the EU social security regulations coordinating unemployment benefits was discussed at the December 2007 EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Brussels.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants moved off JSA and into employment in each month of the last five years, broken down by age; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information has been placed in the Library.

Poverty: Children

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps the Government have taken towards their target to end child poverty by 2020.

Kitty Ussher: Some 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty since 1998-99. Government measures over the past two years will lift around a further 500,000 children from relative poverty.
	As a result of the support we have introduced, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population are already on average 4,100 a year better off than in 1997. The measures my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget report will increase this to 4,400 by 2009-10.
	The pre-Budget report also announced that the commitment to increase the child element of the child tax credit by 25 above indexation will be brought forward from April 2010 to this coming April. A 50 increase had already been planned from that date so from April 2009 the child element will therefore rise by 75 above indexation to 2,235.
	Planned increases in child benefit, from 18.80 per week to 20 for the first child and from 12.55 to 13.20 for subsequent children, will also be brought forward to this January.
	We have made substantial progress but we are not complacent. Despite the scale of the challenge, the Government's commitment to tackling child poverty is stronger than ever. The Prime Minister's recent announcement of our intention to legislate gives us renewed impetus.
	We are investing in public services, such as education, health care and housing, which play a key role in overcoming some of the immediate effects of growing up in poverty, and have provided poor children with opportunities to enhance their life chances and break cycles of deprivation. Hundreds of thousands of families have been helped by new tax credits, better public services and a renewed welfare state.

Poverty: Children

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken by his Department to help eradicate child poverty in Leeds West constituency.

Kitty Ussher: We have made substantial progress in tackling child poverty. 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty since 1998-99. As a result of the support we have introduced, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population, including those in Leeds West, are on average 4,100 a year better off than in 1997. The measures announced in the pre Budget report 2008 will increase this to 4,400 by 2009-10. In addition, Government measures over the past two years will result in lifting around a further 500,000 children from relative poverty.
	The target of eradicating child poverty by 2020 cannot be achieved by Government alone. It requires sustained national, regional and local effort. Eradicating child poverty is a priority across Leeds. The Leeds local area agreement sets out the priorities for the city including several indicators which will impact on child poverty: reducing the numbers of 16 to 18 year olds not in education, training or employment; reducing the number of working age people on out of work benefits; and improving the skills of the working age population.
	Leeds city council has recently been shortlisted for Beacon status, a prestigious award scheme that recognises excellence in local government, for their approach to preventing and tackling child poverty. Key themes for the council and its partners, including Jobcentre Plus, are: tackling the entrenched causes of poverty; reducing worklessness; promoting work readiness; improving financial inclusion; and raising attainment.

Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many staff in his Department left under  (a) involuntary and  (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) each of his Department's agencies;
	(2)  how many of his Department's staff who left under  (a) an involuntary and  (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: No staff have left under involuntary staff exit schemes. 108 staff have acquiesced to leave on compulsory redundancy terms.
	Table 1 shows the number of staff who left the Department and its Agencies on staff exit schemes in each financial year since 2005-06 together with total costs.
	Individual rates of pay for members of staff in the year before they left and consequently a breakdown by the bandings in the question is only available at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total number of staff exits 2,805 2,054 3,620 
			 Cost - (rounded to nearest m) 173 62 166 
			  Note: The cost shown for 2007-08 is subject to final reconciliation of accounts. 
		
	
	The Department's three-year plan for 2008 to 2011, published in February 2008, contained planning assumptions of headcount reductions of around 12,000 between April 2008 and March 2011.
	However, the recent increase in unemployment will have an impact on departmental staffing levels. Future staffing plans, including the requirement for any managed staff exits are being actively reviewed as part of the Department's planning process.
	Table 2 shows the number of staff who left the Department and its Agencies on all types of staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06, grouped by the value of their severance package:
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  Cost of package  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Up to 25,000 1,540 1,141 1,595 
			 25,001 to 50,000 915 721 1,224 
			 50,001 to 75,000 248 160 547 
			 75,001 to 100,000 51 20 176 
			 Over 100,000 51 12 78 
			 Total 2,805 2,054 3,620 
			 Note:  The figures include the cost of any lump sum payments.

Remploy

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken in the last two years to assist those who have lost their jobs due to the closures of Remploy factories.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Secretary of State guaranteed that no disabled factory employee would be made compulsorily redundant as a result of the changes announced in the modernisation plan and that any disabled employee who wanted to stay a Remploy employee on Remploy terms and conditions, could do so.
	Remploy are working with former disabled factory employees who opted to remain as company employees, to find alternative mainstream jobs. For those disabled people who need extra support, Remploy are working with local social firms and Charities to provide a more supportive environment. In addition, Remploy are continuing to offer support in finding another job, to their former disabled factory employees who opted to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement, if they so wish.
	Local Jobcentre Plus staff has worked with Remploy to provide help and advice to its employees since December 2007. Remploy employees have had access to jobseeking and benefits advice and to a local Disability Employment Adviser, where required.
	Where appropriate, Jobcentre Plus liaised with local Remploy advisers to provide vacancy information and immediate access to Jobcentre Plus programmes and provision.

Social Security Benefits

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of eligible residents of  (a) the Luton Borough Council area and  (b) local authority areas of similar size and population who are in receipt of (i) housing benefit, (ii) council tax benefit and (iii) pension credit.

Jonathan R Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

State Retirement Pensions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for the state pension took more than 60 days to process in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: Currently, 87 per cent. of people claim their state pension by phone, prompted by a letter from PDCS some weeks ahead of their retirement date. 55 per cent. of telephone claims are handled in 'one touch'that is, the award of state pension is made during the initial phone call. The remaining cases take longer as further inquiries are made; or, in the period immediately following a change of tax year, while national insurance contribution records are updated by HMRC. This affects achievement of the clearance target.
	Since October 2008, customers can claim four benefits in one free phone call: state pension, pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. In some circumstances, we will also arrange face to face visits to help people with making their claims.
	State pension data are only available from 2004 and not for the whole of the previous 10 years, as requested.
	
		
			  State pension clearance times 
			   2004-2005  2005-2006  2006-2007  2007-2008 ( 1)  2008-09 
			 Target 95 per cent. in 60 days 
			   
			 Total processed 563,650 563,352 623,692 717,122 364,174 
			 Not processed within target 27,795 14,857 28,179 49,374 25,074 
			 Percentage within 60 days 95.1 97.4 95.5 93.1% 93.1% 
			 Percentage processed outside 60 days 4.9 2.6 4.5 6.9 6.9 
			 (1) Year to date (September) Source: Pensions Service Legacy System

Television

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on  (a) commissioning and  (b) funding the production of television programmes in the last year; what programmes these were; and which companies made them.

Jonathan R Shaw: DWP has not to the best of my knowledge and based on our available records ever used taxpayer's money to commission or fund the production of TV programmes, and currently has no plans to do so.

Unemployment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce levels of unemployment.

Tony McNulty: The Government are doing all it can to support people who become unemployed back into work as quickly as possible. The strong foundations of our economy and labour market put us in the best possible position to get through the economic downturn. Not only is the economy better placed than in the past, but through Jobcentre Plus and the new deal we offer more support to individuals to help them move back into work
	To ensure that it is well placed to deal with an increase in unemployment, in the current financial year Jobcentre Plus is retaining staffing at the level used to prepare for the introduction of the employment and support allowance. This level of staffing, which is over 2,000 more than originally planned, will be kept under review.
	For those affected by redundancy, we are doubling the resources available to the rapid response teams who offer advice and support to those affected by redundancy. This can include information about sources of alternative jobs within the labour market or help with applying for existing vacancies; on-site job shops and fairs; helping people draw-up CVs or brush-up their jobsearch skills; and, where appropriate, job-focused training to help individuals develop skills needed within the local labour market or other support to overcome barriers to taking up a specific job offer, such as travel to work expenses.
	Jobcentre Plus is also launching a Find your way back to work campaign to help the newly unemployed; simplifying and streamlining its processes, for example by rolling out a new approach so that people can claim their benefits, tax credits and housing benefits at Jobcentre Plus in one visit; making its services more accessible to parents, for example by piloting from January a programme that will put a full-time Jobcentre Plus adviser in 30 children's centres across ten local authorities; helping people with mortgages by bringing forward financial support from 39 to 13 weeks and increasing the capital amount on which support can be claimed to 200,000; and through Local Employment Partnerships, is working with employers across the country to help them meet their recruitment needs locally.
	There are still many new job opportunities coming up all the time. Jobcentre Plus alone takes 10,000 new vacancies every working day, and many more come up through other recruitment channels. Together with the advice and support provided through Jobcentre Plus, this means that most of those who become unemployed can find another job quickly: over half of new claimants leave jobseeker's allowance within three months and around three quarters leave within six months.

Unemployment Benefits: Disqualification

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had their benefit reduced as a consequence of not taking a reasonable job offer in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of varied length Jobseekers Allowance referrals, sanctioned for refusal of employment1 April 2000 to 31 March 2008 
			   Sanctions 
			 2000-01 23,040 
			 2001-02 32,250 
			 2002-03 36,020 
			 2003-04 24,610 
			 2004-05 19,580 
			 2005-06 12,260 
			 2006-07 6,270 
			 2007-08 12,470 
			  Notes:  1. Definitions and conventions: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data prior to April 2000 is not available.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Jobseekers Allowance Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. 
		
	
	During the period in question, the decline in decisions to apply sanctions to those who have either not done enough to find work or who are unreasonably restricting their availability for work.

Unemployment Benefits: Interviews

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work-focused interviews in a year a claimant must attend in any one year in order to retain a benefit, broken down by the benefit claimed.

Tony McNulty: Currently, mandatory attendance at a work focused interview (WFI) varies depending on an individual's characteristics and the type of benefit being claimed.
	Lone parents receiving income support attend a mandatory WFI at the point of claim and then six monthly thereafter. In the year before they lose eligibility to income support based upon the age of the youngest child, the WFIs take place every three months to prepare them to move into work or transition onto another benefit.
	Individuals receiving an incapacity benefit have the first WFI as soon as possible after week eight of the claim and then five more at monthly intervals. After the initial series of WFIs, claimants may have to attend further interviews when a life event occurs, for example a repeat medical assessment. They will also have to attend an interview if they have not had one for 36 months.
	Those receiving employment and support allowance, have the first WFI as soon as possible after week eight of the claim, the second at week 14, with four more usually at monthly intervals. After the initial series of WFIs, claimants may have to attend further interviews when a life event occurs, for example a repeat medical assessment. They will also have to attend an interview if they have not had one for 36 months.
	Partners of benefit recipients where the main claimant receives income support, severe disablement allowance, incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance remain subject to a single WFI after six months of claiming. However, from April 2008 the frequency of mandatory WFIs for partners of jobseeker's allowance claimants who have children changed; these customers now have to attend a WFI every six months.
	Those receiving jobseeker's allowance will have a WFI as part of the New Jobseeker interview at the start of the claim and all claimants will also receive a 13 week and a six monthly interview. Those aged 18-24 are required to enter New Deal for Young People after six months on benefit. However, if the claimant is aged 25 and over they will be required to attend a WFI at 12 and 18 months before they are required to enter New Deal 25 Plus.
	Some other groups claiming income support, such as carers, are required to attend a WFI every three years.
	Jobseeker's allowance customers are also required to attend fortnightly jobsearch reviews, during which they are asked what steps they have taken to find work during the last two weeks. Weekly signing applies for the six week period following the WFI at the 13 weeks stage.

Alcoholic Drinks: Health Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data collection his Department routinely makes in respect of alcohol-related admissions to  (a) accident and emergency and  (b) acute wards.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on admissions to, and the care provided by national health service (NHS) hospitals, along with data on NHS hospital patients treated elsewhere, is routinely collected by the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. HES data records the diagnosis codes associated with each admission, and has three main diagnosis codes relating to alcohol:
	Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (F10);
	Alcoholic liver disease (K70); and
	Toxic effect of alcohol (T51).
	This data is then analysed by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
	The North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO) has developed a new methodology for analysing data concerning alcohol related hospital admissions. Following international best practice, the NWPHO methodology uses Alcohol Attributable Fractions (AAFs). These AAFs consider a much wider range of diseases and injuries in which alcohol plays a part and estimate the proportion of cases that can be attributed to the consumption of alcohol. These figures are currently being finalised and will be made available in due course.
	It is important to note that (i) HES data is collected at national health service trust and not at ward level and (ii) individuals are not admitted to accident and emergency, they may be admitted to hospital via accident and emergency. Data are not available centrally from which alcohol-related attendances in accident and emergency departments can be identified.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which primary care trust spending on services to reduce alcohol harm correlates with the extent of alcohol problems on the local population.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on national health service spend on alcohol interventions is not collected, however primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring that the health priorities and needs of their local populations are met and are adequately funded.
	How much PCTs choose to spend on prevention interventions and specialist alcohol treatment services is their responsibility to decide in line with their locally identified needs and priorities.
	To assist PCTs, and other local health care and social care organisations, to understand and address the impact that higher-risk drinking is having on the health of their local population, the Department has commissioned the North West Public Health Observatory to produce Local Alcohol Profiles.
	Local Alcohol Profiles bring together evidence that indicates the impact of alcohol on each local authority and PCT area in England, using 23 different indicators relating to individual, community and population implications of alcohol use and their effects on health and well-being.

Antibiotics

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index, 
	(1)  how many issues of antibiotics each hospital trust in England made in 2007-08;
	(2)  how many issues of antibiotics hospitals in each region of England made in each year since 1997-98 for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index data held by the Information Centre for health and social care does not include information on the number of separate issues of antibiotics by individual hospital pharmacies. The unit of measurement is packs. As pack sizes vary, even for the same product, and packs may comprise tablets, vials (of varying pack sizes) or other formulations, a single total for packs would not be meaningful.

Aortic Aneurysm: Medical Treatments

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at which level of the NHS a decision on whether to screen men in the West Sussex Primary Care Trust area for abdominal aortic aneurysms will be made.

Ann Keen: The implementation of a national abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme for men aged 65 is currently under way. Six early implementation sites have been announced.
	One of these sites will be in West Sussex, based at the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust. Strategic health authority screening leads were asked to take a lead overview role, in developing plans which demonstrated how potential screening sites met the criteria required to be considered as an early implementation site. The final decision to include West Sussex was made by the Department's Vascular Programme Board.

Christmas

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of  (a) lamb,  (b) beef,  (c) chicken,  (d) pork,  (e) turkey,  (f) other meats,  (g) vegetables and  (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not collect information about the Christmas functions hosted or attended by officials in the Department and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
	The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
	This report will be available on the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative web site at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.

Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years.

Phil Hope: The Department for Communities and Local Government established a cross-departmental working group on coastal towns, in February 2008. The Department of Health is represented on this group.
	The working group is providing a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns, including the impact of existing policy approaches and mechanisms in improving regeneration and economic development outcomes.
	The Department is also contributing to the work of the Regional Development Agency (RDA)-led Coastal Towns Network, involving central and local government, national and coastal town networks and the RDAs.

Community Nurses: Training

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places for BSc courses in specialist community nursing programmes have been funded through strategic health authorities in 2008-09; and how many applications for places on such courses there were in that year.

Ann Keen: The following table provides details of the planned number of training places to be commissioned for community nursing training in the financial year 2008-09. Data on the number of applications to these courses is not held centrally by the Department.
	
		
			  Community nursing  Planned commissions 
			 Health Visitor 277 
			 District Nurses 255 
			 Community Psychiatric Nurses 14 
			 Practice nurses 113 
			 Community Nurse Mental Health 61 
			 Occupational Health Nurse 23 
			 School Nurses 125 
			 Community Specialist Practitioner Courses 455 
			 Community Nurse total 1,323

Departmental Absenteeism

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of staff  (a) absence and  (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on average working days lost (AWDL) per member of staff due to sickness absence in the Department of Health and its agencies is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Coverage  AWDL 
			 2007-08 financial year Core Department 5.3 
			 2007-08 financial year Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) 6.9 
			 2007-08 financial year NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) 4.6 
			 2006-07 financial year Core Department 6.5 
			 2006-07 financial year MHRA 6.6 
			 2006-07 financial year PASA 5.5 
			 2005 calendar year Core Department only 7.0 
			 2005 calendar year MHRA 2.9 
			 2005 calendar year PASA 15.5 
			 2004 calendar year Department and its agencies 3.8 
			 2003 calendar year Department and its agencies 5.4 
			 2002 calendar year Department and its agencies 4.7 
			 2001 calendar year Department and its agencies 6.8 
			 2000 calendar year Department and its agencies 5.5 
			 1999 calendar year Department and its agencies 6.6 
			 1998 calendar year Department and its agencies 7.3 
		
	
	The change in the figures from calendar years to financial year between 2005 and 2006-07 reflects a change in the annual period covered by the reports. The change between 2004 and 2005 from the Department and its agencies together to the Department and its agencies separately reflects a change in the level of aggregation of information in reporting.
	The Department does not report on the rates of other types of absence or set formal targets for rates of absence.

Departmental Committees

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of committees established by his Department on which appointed persons are remunerated.

Ben Bradshaw: The following committees established within the Department's governance structure includes appointed non-Executive Members who are remunerated: the Departmental Board, Department of Health's Audit Committee and the Performance Committee.
	The Department publishes details of its public bodies on an annual basis. A copy of the latest version of Public Bodies 2007 has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Appointments Commission website at:
	www.appointments.org.uk/publications.asp

Departmental Debts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has written off in bad debts in each of the last five financial years; and what the reason for each write off was.

Ben Bradshaw: The following amounts have been written off as bad debts.
	
		
			  Period   
			 2004-05 169.84 
			 2005-06 10,217.65 
			 2006-07 117,618.07 
			 2007-08 8,558.33 
			 2008-09 0.92 
		
	
	The reasons for the write offs were:
	 2004-05
	29 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
	 2005-06
	41 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
	 2006-07
	 NHS Live
	Over 320 organisations participated in the NHS Live events and were invoiced for their contributions. Twenty-four cases valuing 27,876.25 were successfully challenged by the organisations and the outstanding amount was written off by the Department.
	 NHS Estates Capital Charges
	The value of capital charges made to individuals around the country that became uncollectible as a result of doubt over the validity of the charges was 9,561.56 . These invoices were subsequently found to have been raised in error.
	 NHS Estates Service Charges
	The value of service charges made to health centres around the country which became uncollectible as a result of re-organisations and doubt over the validity of the charges were 70,678.36.
	 Other Minor Claims
	19 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds amounting to 9,501.90
	 2007-08
	29 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
	 2008-09 (to date)
	Three minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.

Departmental Pay

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bonus payments were made to his Department's staff in each Civil Service pay grade in each of the last three years; and what the highest and lowest individual bonus payments were in each of those years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has two sets of bonus arrangements. For senior civil servants, bonuses may be awarded for delivery of personal objectives or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives, as part of their annual performance assessment. Arrangements are common across all Departments. For all staff the Department operates a Special Bonus Scheme whereby managers may award a bonus to recognise an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding situation. This can include a temporary and substantial increase in job loading, dealing with pressures arising from temporary vacancies or job requirements, a high level of commitment and resolution to get a job done, difficulties requiring a special effort to overcome, or a contribution over and above what would normally be expected for the job and of the person, or team, concerned.
	The numbers of bonuses and the highest and lowest payments () by grade for each of the last three years, for each set of arrangements, are provided in the following tables:
	
		
			  Senior  civil s ervice (SCS) bonuses 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  Grade  Number  Highest  ()  Lowest  ()  Number  Highest  ()  Lowest  ()  Number  Highest  ()  Lowest  () 
			 SCS 162 18,683 567 160 27,500 3,212 187 27,500 3,000 
		
	
	
		
			  Special bonuses 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  Grade( 1)  Number  Highest ()  Lowest ()  Number  Highest ()  Lowest ()  Number  Highest ()  Lowest () 
			 SCS 19 22,500 1,000 22 21,051 400 8 6,200 500 
			 Grade 6 41 9,000 350 50 6,800 25 62 8,000 500 
			 Grade 7 53 7,500 150 137 9,000 150 104 8,096 200 
			 FS 7 1,500 200 9 2,850 250 17 2,500 200 
			 SEO 45 5,000 150 70 5,063 55 61 5,000 250 
			 HEO 28 4,431 150 60 3,500 100 17 2,500 250 
			 EO 50 1,500 100 82 2,250 100 76 2,500 100 
			 AO 9 770 100 16 1,000 100 23 4,000 100 
			 AA 1 238 238   
			 Unknown 3 2,150 500 6 5,000 250 1 750 750 
			 (1) FS = Fast stream. SEO = Senior executive officer. HEO = Higher executive officer. EO = Executive officer. AO = Administrative officer. AA = Administrative assistant (this grade did not exist after August 2006). 
		
	
	The grade under which bonuses are recorded is the current grade, which in some cases may differ from the grade at the time the award was made. Special bonuses for 2008-09 cover only the first seven months of theyear. The highest special bonus payments for the SCS in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are likely to be payments that have been wrongly categorised on the Department's payroll system.

Departmental Pay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has two sets of arrangements under which bonuses can be awarded. For Senior Civil Servants, pay arrangements are common across all government departments. The Department's senior pay strategy, which conforms to these common arrangements, explains that bonuses may be awarded for delivery of personal objectives or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives. Individuals are required to agree their priorities with their manager at the beginning of the performance year. Line managers then make recommendations for performance bonuses which are considered by the Department's pay committees at the end of the performance year. The pay committees, which meets annually, make the final decision on whether a bonus should be awarded, relative to the performance of others.
	For staff below the Senior Civil Service, the Department operates a special bonus scheme whereby managers may award a bonus to recognise an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding situation. This can include a temporary and substantial increase in job loading, dealing with pressures arising from temporary vacancies or job requirements, a high level of commitment and resolution to get a job done, difficulties requiring a special effort to overcome, or a contribution over and above what would normally be expected for the job and of the person, or team, concerned.
	For 2007-08, bonuses the total amount paid in bonuses was 1,947,319.

Departmental Training

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) location,  (b) dates and  (c) cost was of each away day his departmental board has held in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: In the last 12 months, the Department's Departmental Board held one away day. This was held at in Egham, Surrey, on 11 and 12 September 2008. The total cost of the facilities was 4,209.

Deprivation Indicators

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the lower super output areas are with the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest health rankings in each of the principal seaside towns in England.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The following tables list the codes for the least and most deprived lower super output areas in the principal seaside towns in England, on the overall measure of multiple deprivation and across the seven domains of the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007. Information on deprivation in Welsh towns can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government Statistical Directorate.
	
		
			IMD  Income  Employment 
			Most deprived  Least deprived  Most deprived  Least deprived  Most deprived  Least deprived 
			  Town  LA name  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA 
			 Blackpool Blackpool E01012721 E01012718 E01012721 E01012717 E01012721 E01012717 
			 Bognor Regis Arun E01031456 E01031383 E01031429 E01031412 E01031456 E01031392 
			 Bournemouth Bournemouth E01015282 E01015315 E01015282 E01015319 E01015282 E01015319 
			 Bridlington East Riding of Yorkshire E01012948 E01013093 E01012946 E01013088 E01012944 E01013012 
			 Brighton Brighton and Hove E01016947 E01016984 E01016865 E01016984 E01016942 E01016899 
			 Burnham-on-Sea Sedgemoor E01029106 E01029104 E01029106 E01029128 E01029112 E01029128 
			 Clacton Tendring E01021988 E01022005 E01021988 E01022013 E01021988 E01022013 
			 Dawlish/Teignmouth Teignbridge E01020272 E01020239 E01020272 E01020242 E01020228 E01020242 
			 Deal Dover E01024240 E01024233 E01024240 E01024233 E01024199 E01024238 
			 Eastbourne Eastbourne E01020912 E01020933 E01020923 E01020946 E01020911 E01020933 
			 Exmouth East Devon E01019914 E01019931 E01019914 E01019964 E01019914 E01019964 
			 Falmouth Carrick E01018841 E01018848 E01018841 E01018816 E01018841 E01018827 
			 Folkestone/Hythe Shepway E01024504 E01024523 E01024507 E01024523 E01024506 E01024519 
			 Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth E01026625 E01026587 E01026625 E01026587 E01026625 E01026587 
			 Hastings/Bexhill Hastings E01020972 E01020970 E01020972 E01020970 E01020972 E01020987 
			 Ilfracombe North Devon E01020112 E01020090 E01020103 E01020133 E01020112 E01020133 
			 Isle of Wight Isle of Wight E01017332 E01017352 E01017345 E01017293 E01017336 E01017302 
			 Lowestoft Waveney E01030258 E01030284 E01030258 E01030288 E01030258 E01030292 
			 Minehead, West Somerset E01029344 E01029331 E01029344 E01029342 E01029344 E01029338 
			 Morecambe/Heysham Lancaster E01025110 E01025146 E01025156 E01025105 E01025110 E01025105 
			 Newquay Restormel E01019056 E01019017 E01019056 E01019017 E01019033 E01019016 
			 Penzance Penwith E01018997 E01018985 E01018997 E01019011 E01018997 E01019011 
			 Scarborough Scarborough E01027806 E01027844 E01027874 E01027855 E01027847 E01027857 
			 Sidmouth East Devon E01019914 E01019931 E01019914 E01019964 E01019914 E01019964 
			 Skegness East Lindsey E01026093 E01026063 E01026083 E01026063 E01026093 E01026061 
			 Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea E01015842 E01015908 E01015842 E01015914 E01015842 E01015830 
			 Southport Sefton E01007007 E01006985 E01007007 E01006991 E01007007 E01006985 
			 St. Ives East Dorset E01020393 E01020377 E01020393 E01020377 E01020394 E01020409 
			 St. Ives Penwith E01018997 E01018985 E01018997 E01019011 E01018997 E01019011 
			 Swanage Purbeck E01020489 E01020470 E01020472 E01020470 E01020485 E01020470 
			 Thanet Thanet E01024678 E01024708 E01024678 E01024650 E01024678 E01024689 
			 Torbay Torbay E01015217 E01015208 E01015257 E01015208 E01015217 E01015251 
			 Weston-super-Mare North Somerset E01014831 E01014798 E01014831 E01014793 E01014801 E01014791 
			 Weymouth Weymouth and Portland E01020554 E01020558 E01020552 E01020559 E01020554 E01020558 
			 Whitby Scarborough E01027806 E01027844 E01027874 E01027855 E01027847 E01027857 
			 Whitley Bay North Tyneside E01008485 E01008523 E01008485 E01008563 E01008485 E01008548 
			 Whitstable/Herne Bay Canterbury E01024080 E01024056 E01024061 E01024051 E01024080 E01024051 
			 Worthing Worthing E01031819 E01031824 E01031819 E01031824 E01031811 E01031824 
		
	
	
		
			Health  Disability  Education, Skills  Training  Barriers to Housing  Services 
			Most deprived  Least deprived  Most deprived  Least deprived  Most deprived  Least deprived 
			  Town  LA name  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA 
			 Blackpool Blackpool E01012721 E01012718 E01012720 E01012722 E01012704 E01012725 
			 Bognor Regis Arun E01031456 E01031389 E01031429 E01031416 E01031392 E01031464 
			 Bournemouth Bournemouth E01015282 E01015319 E01015313 E01015344 E01015370 E01015335 
			 Bridlington East Riding of Yorkshire E01012948 E01013088 E01013002 E01013070 E01012981 E01012999 
			 Brighton Brighton and Hove E01016942 E01016983 E01016915 E01017001 E01016899 E01016961 
			 Burnham-on-Sea Sedgemoor E01029132 E01029128 E01029106 E01029147 E01029147 E01029127 
			 Clacton Tendring E01022025 E01021978 E01021988 E01021987 E01021974 E01022035 
			 Dawlish/Teignmouth Teignbridge E01020228 E01020194 E01020212 E01020274 E01020259 E01020265 
			 Deal Dover E01024215 E01024233 E01024240 E01024211 E01024249 E01024221 
			 Eastbourne Eastbourne E01020920 E01020960 E01020923 E01020946 E01020958 E01020939 
			 Exmouth East Devon E01019914 E01019964 E01019914 E01019964 E01019938 E01019948 
			 Falmouth Carrick E01018841 E01018816 E01018841 E01018816 E01018850 E01018848 
			 Folkestone/Hythe Shepway E01024506 E01024490 E01024498 E01024523 E01024549 E01024512 
			 Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth E01026625 E01026587 E01026619 E01026611 E01026609 E01026639 
			 Hastings/Bexhill Hastings E01020989 E01020970 E01020972 E01020970 E01020970 E01021013 
			 Ilfracombe North Devon E01020112 E01020127 E01020103 E01020128 E01020100 E01020105 
			 Isle of Wight Isle of Wight E01017336 E01017351 E01017332 E01017316 E01017297 E01017344 
			 Lowestoft Waveney E01030258 E01030237 E01030277 E01030224 E01030285 E01030288 
			 Minehead, West Somerset E01029344 E01029338 E01029344 E01029335 E01029338 E01029332 
			 Morecambe/Heysham Lancaster E01025110 E01025105 E01025156 E01025103 E01025132 E01025098 
			 Newquay Restormel E01019041 E01019017 E01019055 E01019017 E01019060 E01019072 
			 Penzance Penwith E01018997 E01018985 E01018997 E01019011 E01019006 E01018993 
			 Scarborough Scarborough E01027806 E01027814 E01027874 E01027855 E01027857 E01027871 
			 Sidmouth East Devon E01019914 E01019964 E01019914 E01019964 E01019938 E01019948 
			 Skegness East Lindsey E01026073 E01026098 E01026083 E01026119 E01026082 E01026054 
			 Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea E01015842 E01015908 E01015842 E01015908 E01015827 E01015910 
			 Southport Sefton E01007009 E01006985 E01007019 E01006974 E01007038 E01007102 
			 St. Ives East Dorset E01020393 E01020415 E01020393 E01020380 E01020396 E01020426 
			 St. Ives Penwith E01018997 E01018985 E01018997 E01019011 E01019006 E01018993 
			 Swanage Purbeck E01020485 E01020470 E01020471 E01020470 E01020490 E01020492 
			 Thanet Thanet E01024676 E01024635 E01024682 E01024642 E01024703 E01024655 
			 Torbay Torbay E01015217 E01015208 E01015266 E01015271 E01015190 E01015211 
			 Weston-super-Mare North Somerset E01014832 E01014850 E01014831 E01014766 E01014766 E01014816 
			 Weymouth Weymouth and Portland E01020554 E01020560 E01020552 E01020558 E01020569 E01020588 
			 Whitby Scarborough E01027806 E01027814 E01027874 E01027855 E01027857 E01027871 
			 Whitley Bay North Tyneside E01008545 E01008546 E01008484 E01008563 E01008480 E01008546 
			 Whitstable/Herne Bay Canterbury E01024092 E01024056 E01024047 E01024131 E01024054 E01024115 
			 Worthing Worthing E01031790 E01031824 E01031819 E01031803 E01031832 E01031797 
		
	
	
		
			Crime  Disorder  Living Environment 
			Most deprived  Least deprived  Most deprived  Least deprived 
			  Town  LA name  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA  LSOA 
			 Blackpool Blackpool E01012736 E01012662 E01012673 E01012722 
			 Bognor Regis Arun E01031454 E01031458 E01031427 E01031383 
			 Bournemouth Bournemouth E01015367 E01015315 E01015279 E01015315 
			 Bridlington East Riding of Yorkshire E01013000 E01013122 E01012948 E01012939 
			 Brighton Brighton and Hove E01016952 E01016998 E01016952 E01017008 
			 Burnham-on-Sea Sedgemoor E01029098 E01029103 E01029095 E01029115 
			 Clacton Tendring E01021988 E01022012 E01021988 E01022004 
			 Dawlish/Teignmouth Teignbridge E01020269 E01020193 E01020224 E01020215 
			 Deal Dover E01024241 E01024213 E01024215 E01024256 
			 Eastbourne Eastbourne E01020912 E01020948 E01020912 E01020926 
			 Exmouth East Devon E01019918 E01019897 E01019916 E01019905 
			 Falmouth Carrick E01018809 E01018827 E01018836 E01018813 
			 Folkestone/Hythe Shepway E01024504 E01024536 E01024504 E01024542 
			 Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth E01026626 E01026629 E01026626 E01026582 
			 Hastings/Bexhill Hastings E01020979 E01020971 E01020984 E01020995 
			 Ilfracombe North Devon E01020113 E01020107 E01020112 E01020085 
			 Isle of Wight Isle of Wight E01017336 E01017298 E01017340 E01017352 
			 Lowestoft Waveney E01030258 E01030245 E01030250 E01030239 
			 Minehead, West Somerset E01029330 E01029327 E01029338 E01029331 
			 Morecambe/Heysham Lancaster E01025139 E01025160 E01025117 E01025158 
			 Newquay Restormel E01019029 E01019045 E01019056 E01019018 
			 Penzance Penwith E01018999 E01018975 E01019012 E01018983 
			 Scarborough Scarborough E01027806 E01027834 E01027804 E01027855 
			 Sidmouth East Devon E01019918 E01019897 E01019916 E01019905 
			 Skegness East Lindsey E01026069 E01026098 E01026093 E01026085 
			 Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea E01015841 E01015866 E01015852 E01015885 
			 Southport Sefton E01007051 E01007093 E01007003 E01006991 
			 St. Ives East Dorset E01020392 E01020378 E01020396 E01020374 
			 St. Ives Penwith E01018999 E01018975 E01019012 E01018983 
			 Swanage Purbeck E01020472 E01020491 E01020490 E01020470 
			 Thanet Thanet E01024676 E01024644 E01024676 E01024637 
			 Torbay Torbay E01015267 E01015251 E01015231 E01015226 
			 Weston-super-Mare North Somerset E01014801 E01014793 E01014802 E01014793 
			 Weymouth Weymouth and Portland E01020554 E01020559 E01020554 E01020560 
			 Whitby Scarborough E01027806 E01027834 E01027804 E01027855 
			 Whitley Bay North Tyneside E01008584 E01008518 E01008572 E01008551 
			 Whitstable/Herne Bay Canterbury E01024080 E01024054 E01024080 E01024056 
			 Worthing Worthing E01031787 E01031804 E01031810 E01031820

Diabetes: Children

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 years in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency and  (b) Hertfordshire have type one diabetes.

Ann Keen: Data on the number of children under the age of 16 years with diabetes in Hemel Hempstead and Hertfordshire are not collected centrally.
	At a national level, exact figures for the number of children diagnosed with and treated for diabetes are not available.

Diabetes: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of  (a) type 1 and  (b) type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in each primary care trust area in Hertfordshire in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.

Ann Keen: Information is not collected in the format requested. Information is available from 2004-05 from the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) about patients who are on diabetes disease registers, which is not the same as the number of people diagnosed with diabetes each year. This information does not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, nor is it separated into different age groups.
	The following table shows the number of patients aged 17 and over who were on diabetes disease registers in primary care trusts (PCTs) in Hertfordshire from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Number of patients on diabetes disease registers in Hertfordshire PCTs. 
			  PCT name  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Dacorum PCT 4,147 4,412 n/a n/a 
			 Hertsmere PCT 2,750 3,047 n/a n/a 
			 North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT 5,882 6,477 n/a n/a 
			 Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT 2,181 2,335 n/a n/a 
			 South East Hertfordshire PCT 5,321 5,667 n/a n/a 
			 St. Albans and Harpenden PCT 3,422 3,647 n/a n/a 
			 Watford and Three Rivers PCT 5,163 5,497 n/a n/a 
			 Welwyn Hatfield PCT 3,051 3,302 n/a n/a 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT n/a n/a 18,244 19,437 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT n/a n/a 17,035 18,174 
			 n/a = Not applicable.  Notes: 1. East and North Hertfordshire PCT was created on 1 October 2006 from a complete merger of North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT, Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT, South East Hertfordshire PCT and Welwyn Hatfield PCT. 2. West Hertfordshire PCT was created on 1 October 2006 from a complete merger of Dacorum PCT, Hertsmere PCT, St. Albans and Harpenden PCT and Watford and Three Rivers PCT. 3. Patients will contribute to the QOF figures only if they are registered with a general practice participating in the QOF. 4. QOF data is collected annually and includes only people with diabetes aged 17 and over. 5. Figures are not available broken down into type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  Source: Information Centre for health and social care

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people who have insulin pumps; and how many insulin pumps are provided by the NHS every year;
	(2)  Health what estimate he has made of the number of people who are on a waiting list for insulin pumps.

Ann Keen: Data on the number of people using insulin pumps is not collected centrally. However, in its suite of guidance on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimates that the number of patients using insulin pumps in England could be up to 8,000.
	Data on the number of people waiting for an insulin pump is not collected centrally. For those people with diabetes who have been identified by their healthcare professional as being suitable for insulin pump therapy, we would not expect there to be any unnecessary delays in the provision of insulin pumps.

Disease Control: Meat Products

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the process if for raising the age limit for the over 30 months scheme; and what the Food Standards Agency's responsibilities are in this regard.

Dawn Primarolo: A European Commission Decision has been agreed that would permit the United Kingdom to raise the age above which cattle slaughtered for human consumption are tested for BSE from the current 30 months to 48 months. The Decision is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2009. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for advising government on whether or not any increase in the food-borne risk to UK consumers arising from the change in BSE testing age would be acceptable. Subject to favourable FSA advice and agreement by Health Ministers, implementation of this change in the UK is by an amendment to the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2008 and the equivalent devolved legislation.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clients in structured drug treatment in each local authority area  (a) had a child aged 16 years or under and  (b) were living with a child aged 16 years or under in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Although the data requested is collected, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) have identified problems with the quality of this data and it believes that releasing this data in its current form would be misleading. The NTA are addressing these data quality issues and expect to publish this data, with an assessment of its quality, alongside their annual statistics release in October 2009.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals have been discharged from treatment for drug misuse on the grounds that they completed treatment drug-free in England in 2007-08.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) records data from local drug services about clients in structured drug treatment and the treatment they receive.
	Data for 2007-08 shows that a record number of 35,411 individuals successfully completed drug treatment programmes. They were recorded in three categories: treatment completed (17,306), treatment completed drug-free (7,324), and referred on to other agencies after treatment (10,811).
	However, the National Treatment Agency (NTA) has identified that treatment services have used a variety of interpretations on how they code the success of individuals completing and leaving the treatment system.
	With my agreement from the NTA announced in October that a new more robust coding system will begin from April 2009 which will ensure all services return data to NDTMS in the same way.
	Drug addiction is a chronic lapsing condition which requires treatment over an extended period, and in some cases it can take between five and seven years for drug users to be able to stay off illegal drugs without taking prescribed medicines.
	Nevertheless, research indicates that remaining in drug treatment for at least 12 weeks has a lasting positive impact in reducing the harms associated with addiction. During 2007-08 a further 133,000 people were retained in structured drug treatment and therefore derived benefit from it.

Health Services: Elderly

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of his Department's effectiveness in promoting innovation since the publication of the Wanless report.

Ben Bradshaw: In my noble Friend's, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's report, High Quality Care for All, he made clear that innovation must be central to the national health service to ensure that new treatments, practices and services are readily available for patients. The Health Innovation Council was established, Chaired by my noble Friend, and the Council advised on a number of initiatives which later became commitments to support and enable innovation.
	In addition, work has been undertaken, and is still continuing, to promote the adoption of clinically and cost effective innovative medical technologies and medicines. The reports of the Health Care Industries Task Force (2004), Better health through partnership and of the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group's Long Term Leadership Strategy for Medicines (2007) made proposals in this respect. Both reports have been placed in the Library.
	In line with Wanless' vision of integrated information and communication technologies (ICT) applications supporting and linking primary and secondary care and, in due course, also reaching into social care, the National Programme for IT has been a driver of NHS reform.

Health Services: Ex-servicemen

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is using to assess improvement in the access to health services by war veterans.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not collect information specific to veterans' access to the national health service nor on how many receive priority treatment.
	By the end of December 2008, NHS patients in England can expect to start their consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral unless they choose to wait longer or it is clinically appropriate that they do so. This applies to all NHS patients including veterans living in England.
	In addition to extending the priority treatment to all military veterans whose treatment is required as a result of their military service; over this past year the Department has taken forward pilots aimed at helping better identify and treat veterans with mental health problems and ensure continuity of care for those discharged from military service with prosthetic limbs. The Department is currently working with the MOD on improving information on how veterans' health needs differ from those in the population more generally.
	The current Operating Framework for the NHS makes clear the need to take account of the health needs of service families and Veterans when commissioning services.

Herbal Medicine: EU Law

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effects of implementing the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive;
	(2)  what discussions  (a) have been held and  (b) are planned between Ministers in his Department and representatives of the National Association of Health Stores to discuss the effect of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive;
	(3)  if he will seek a delay in the deadline for implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive in light of the European Commission's review of the implementation of the Directive;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the review by the European Commission of the implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive.

Dawn Primarolo: The effects of the implementation in the United Kingdom of the traditional herbal registration scheme, introduced following the European directive on traditional herbal medicinal products, remain broadly as anticipated in the regulatory impact assessment prepared by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). As expected, there is a steadily expanding take up of the scheme by a wide range of companies.
	Ministers have not met representatives of the National Association of Health Stores to discuss implementation of the directive. However, officials at the MHRA meet regularly with the Herbal Forum, a body representing trade associations covering manufacturers operating in the traditional herbal medicines sector, to discuss issues arising from the implementation of the directive.
	The directive was agreed in 2004 and allowed a transitional period, until April 2011, for compliance with that legislation where products were legally on the market at April 2004. We have no plans to press the European Commission to bring forward legislative proposals to extend this seven-year transitional period.
	The main conclusion of the recent review by the European Commission of the early operation of the directive is that there has been insufficient experience across the European Union to justify making substantive changes to most aspects of the legislation at this stage. During the course of the review, the MHRA, among others, had raised the case for greater flexibility to take account of evidence of traditional usage from outside Europe. We continue to believe that there is a case for change in this area. We also welcome the recognition in the review that there may be a case for extending the scope of the directive to certain other categories of traditional medicine where there is a long established pattern of safe use.

Hospitals: Cleaning Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to the NHS on the frequency with which different parts of hospitals should be cleaned in the last five years.

Ann Keen: Locally determined cleaning frequencies are key to trusts meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (a copy of which has been placed in the Library,), identifying the resources needed to keep hospitals clean and demonstrating to the Healthcare Commission that those resources are sufficient.
	The first set of recommended minimum cleaning frequencies was set out in Revised Guidance on Contracting for Cleaning, published by the then NHS Estates Agency in December 2004. A copy has been placed in the Library. This best practice document was designed to assist the National Health Service in ensuring that contracts for cleaning were driven by quality rather than price.
	The existing minimum recommended cleaning frequencies are set out in the national specifications for cleanliness in the NHS: a framework for setting and measuring performance outcomes (a copy of which has been placed in the Library,). This document was published in updated form by the National Patient Safety Agency in April 2007. Minimum recommended cleaning frequencies have been provided in specimen form to help trusts produce their own frequencies specific for their own needs. A single national set of cleaning frequencies would be inappropriate since it could not meet every NHS organisation's needs.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of  (a) MRSA and  (b) clostridium difficile infection in hospitals was in each region in England in each financial year since 1997-08 for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The best available data from the mandatory surveillance schemes for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections and Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile) infection as shown in the following tables.
	The data for MRSA bloodstream infections are regional six-monthly rates per 10,000 bed days for the period April 2001 to March 2008. The data for  C. difficile infection are regional rates in patients aged 65 years and over per 1,000 bed days by calendar year for the period January 2004 to December 2007.
	Before 2001 and 2004 when the mandatory schemes for MRSA and  C. difficile respectively began, data collection was voluntary and incomplete.
	
		
			  Regional distribution of MRSA (bacteraemia) bloodstream infection rates, April 2001 to March 2008 
			   Six-monthly MRSA bacteraemia rate per 10,000 bed-days 
			  HPA region  Apr 2001 to Sept 2001  Oct 2001 to Mar 2002  Apr 2002 to Sept 2002  Oct 2002 to Mar 2003  Apr 2003 to Sept 2003  Oct 2003 to Mar 2004  Apr 2004 to Sept 2004  Oct 2004 to Mar 2005  Apr 2005 to Sept 2005  Oct 2005 to Mar 2006  Apr 2006 to Sept 2006  Oct 2006 to Mar 2007  Apr 2007 to Sept 2007  Oct 2007 to Mar 2008 
			 East Midlands 2.01 2.00 1.77 1.88 1.90 1.93 1.72 1.60 1.56 1.64 1.64 1.31 1.05 0.82 
			 East of England 2.10 2.20 2.02 2.05 1.78 2.12 2.06 2.07 1.98 1.88 1.59 1.42 1.08 0.80 
			 London 2.79 2.94 2.94 3.11 2.91 3.06 2.38 2.55 2.40 2.28 2.20 2.09 1.57 1.34 
			 North East 1.33 1.68 1.48 1.67 1.45 1.77 1.51 1.47 1.55 1.58 1.53 1.52 1.39 1.11 
			 North West 1.41 1.32 1.42 1.53 1.50 1.58 1.54 1.67 1.63 1.62 1.59 1.37 1.09 1.01 
			 South East 2.08 1.90 2.00 2.07 2.08 2.18 2.11 2.00 2.14 2.14 2.09 1.72 1.30 1.09 
			 South West 1.76 1.93 1.86 1.99 1.87 2.01 1.80 1.76 1.77 1.90 1.79 1.54 1.31 1.08 
			 West Midlands 2.08 1.90 2.02 2.24 2.48 2.14 2.12 2.38 2.20 2.31 2.18 1.82 1.37 1.30 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1.64 1.76 1.59 1.57 1.75 2.02 1.67 1.90 1.67 1.43 1.50 1.41 1.25 1.19 
			  Notes: 1. Data are provisional as they may be updated in year. 2. Relates to patients ages 65 years and over.  Source: Health Protection Agency Data as published in the Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report: 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1216193833496 
		
	
	
		
			  Regional distribution of C. difficile infection rates, January 2004 to December 2007 
			   Calendar year rate of C. difficile infection per 1000 bed days 
			  HPA region  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 East Midlands 1.41 2.20 3.18 2.21 
			 East of England 2.20 2.51 2.97 2.70 
			 London 1.83 2.20 2.33 2.01 
			 North East 1.44 1.75 1.97 2.10 
			 North West 1.32 1.60 1.97 2.24 
			 South East 2.15 2.43 2.60 2.23 
			 South West 2.14 2.70 2.61 2.35 
			 West Midlands 2.31 2.54 3.11 2.74 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1.51 1.62 1.75 1.75 
			  Notes: 1. Data are provisional as they may be updated in year. 2. Relates to patients ages 65 years and over.  Source: Health Protection Agency Data as published in the Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report: 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1216193833496

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has  (a) evaluated and  (b) commissioned on the health effects of incinerators on people in the locality.

Dawn Primarolo: Advice has been sought from the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) on the possible health effects populations living in the vicinity of incinerators, based on research carried out by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). This Unit is based at Imperial College and is funded by the Department.
	In 2000, the COC reviewed a large study by SAHSU that examined 14 million people living within 7.5 km of 72 municipal solid waste incinerators, which operated up to 1987. The Committee concluded that, 'any potential risk of cancer due to residency, for periods in excess of 10 years, near to municipal solid waste incinerators was exceedingly low and probably not measurable by the most modern techniques'. The COC issued a statement on this, a copy has been placed in the Library and is available at:
	www.iacoc.org.uk/statements/Municipalsolidwasteincineratorscoc00slmarch2000.htm
	In July and November this year, the COC reviewed the results of more recent studies from the scientific literature, which have investigated rates of cancer in people living near municipal solid waste incinerators. A COC statement is being prepared and will be published shortly.

Injuries: Fireworks

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of injuries caused by fireworks in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Phil Hope: In 2006-07, hospital episode statistics show that the number of episodes where the external cause code was W39 (discharge of firework) was 144 finished consultant episode and 142 finished admission episodes.
	This data is published at:
	www.hesonline.nhs.uk.
	These figures only relate to patients admitted to hospital rather than the majority of injuries which are dealt with at accident and emergency (AE) as outpatients. Dates relating to AE attendances where injuries were caused by fireworks are not collected centrally.

Mass Media

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which keywords or terms his Department has monitored in the media in each of the last three years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's Media Centre has employed EDS Media to provide daily cuttings from the national press since July 2007. The keywords that are used to compile the cuttings are revised on a regular basis to reflect changes in departmental policy and in the ministerial team.
	The following is a list of the keywords used by EDS Media as of 25 November 2008.
	AE
	Abortion
	Agenda for Change (OICW NHS)
	AIDS
	Alan Johnson (Secretary of State)
	Alcohol ICW Health (MSS)
	Allied Health Professionals
	Ambulances
	Ann Keen
	Barry Cockcroft (Chief Dental Officer)
	Ben Bradshaw
	Binge drinking ICW Health (MSS)
	Biotechnology
	Bird Flu
	Bournewood (all mentions)
	British Dental Association/BDA (all mentions)
	British Medical Association (BMA)
	Bureaucracy (MSSOICW health)
	Cancer
	Cancer Research UK/CRUK (all mentions)
	Cardiac/heart
	Care homes (NPM)
	C. Difficile
	Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson
	Chief Nursing Officer Chris Beasley
	Children's health (NPM)
	Children's hospices
	Chimeras
	Chlamydia
	Choice
	Choose  Book
	Chronic diseases (all mentions)
	Clinical negligence
	Commission for Social Care Inspection
	Commissioning
	Community hospitals
	Complimentary therapy
	Connecting for Health
	Consultants (OICW Health)
	David Behan
	David Nicholson
	David Salisbury (Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health)All mentions
	Dawn Primarolo
	Dentists
	Deputy Chief Medical Officer
	Diabetes
	Diabetes UK (all mentions)
	Diet (OICW Health)
	Dignity
	Dignity in care
	Doctors (MSS)
	Donal O'Donaghue (all mentions)
	Drugs
	DVT
	Egg donors
	Emergency care
	Emergency preparedness
	Employment ICW regulation (OICW Medical/health sector)
	Euthanasia
	Fiona Adshead (Deputy Chief Medical Officer)
	Flu
	Fluoridation
	Fluoridation (OICW health)
	Foot and Mouth
	Foundation hospitals
	Fuel Poverty
	General Dental Council/GDC (all mentions)
	Genetics
	Gonorrhea
	GP contract
	GPs (MSS)
	Gwyneth Lewis
	H5N1
	Health Protection Agency/HPA (all mentions)
	Health tourism/tourists
	Healthcare Commission (all mentions)
	Heatwave ICW Health (MSS)
	Hepatitis B
	Hepatitis C
	HIV
	Home Oxygen Service
	Hospital chaplaincy (all mentions)
	Hospital food
	Hospitals
	HPV
	Hugh Taylor
	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority/HFEA
	Human Tissue Authority/HTA (All mentions)
	Hybrids
	ICATs
	Immunisation
	Independent sector
	iSoft
	ISTCs (NPM)
	IVF (MSS)
	Learning disabilities (NPM)
	Lindsey Davies (National Director of Pandemic Influenza)MSS
	Long-term conditions
	Long-term care (NPM)
	Lord Ara Darzi
	Louis Appleby (all mentions)
	Marie Curie Cancer Care (all mentions)
	Maternity (NPM)
	Medical Research
	Mental capacity
	Mental health
	Mental Health Bill
	MHRA
	Midwives
	Mike Richards (all mentions)
	Mixed sex accommodation (all mentions)
	Mixed sex wards (all mentions)
	Mobile Phones ICW Health (MSS)
	Modernising Medical Careers
	MRSA (NPM)
	National Institute for Innovation and Improvement
	National Patient Safety Agency
	National Programme for IT
	NHS/hospital Managers (MSS)
	NHS Direct
	NHS Estates
	NHS IT
	NHS LIFT
	NHS PASA
	NHS Walk-in Centres
	NICE
	Nurses (MSS)
	Nutrition (OICW Health)
	Obesity (OICW Health)
	Occupational health
	Organ Donation
	Out of hours services
	Pandemic Flu
	Pathology
	Patient information (all mentions)
	Patient safety
	Pesticides
	PFI (NPMICW NHS/Health)
	Pharmaceutical industry
	Pharmacists
	Phil Hope MP
	Physical disabilities (NPM)
	Postcode lottery (all mentions)
	Practice Based Commissioning
	Prescription charges
	Primary Care (NPM)
	Primary Care Trusts (NPM)
	Prison health
	Privatisation (MSSOICW Health)
	RD
	Race equality (OICW health sector)
	Regulatory Authority for Tissues and Embryos/RATE (All mentions)
	Renal/kidneys
	Right to die
	Roger Boyle (all mentions)
	Seasonal Flu
	Secondary care
	Sexual Health
	Sheila Shribman
	Smoking (OICW Health)
	Smoking ban (OICW Health)
	Social care/funding (NPM)
	Sperm donors
	STDs
	STIs
	Strategic Health Authorities (NPM)
	Syphilis
	TB
	Teeth (OICW health)
	Therapists
	Tobacco (OICW Health)
	Tobacco advertising
	Treatment centres (NPM)
	vCJD
	Workforce (OICW Health)
	Working Time Directive (NPMOICW Health)
	General articles about the civil service and Whitehall as well as general articles on Government and politics that may mention NHS and health among other round ups of Government policy and issues, should also include any political or diary pieces about Health Ministers and senior civil servants.
	 Key to abbreviations:
	NPM: no passing mention
	ICW: in connection with
	OICW: only in connection with
	MSS: major significant stories
	Before July 2007, national press cuttings were provided by Durrants, whose contract covered the previous two years. As follows is the list of keywords used, this version is from 8 March 2007.
	18 Weeks
	AE services
	Abortion
	AIDS/HIV
	Alcohol abuse
	Alternative medicine
	Ambulances
	Ancillary staff
	Andy Burnham
	Bed-blocking
	Blood
	Breastfeeding
	Cancer
	Cancer research
	Care homes
	Caroline Flint
	Centre for Applied Microbiological Research
	CHAI
	Chief Medical Officer
	Child day care
	Child protection
	Children's act
	Children's services
	Clinical negligence
	Commission for Healthcare Audit and Improvement
	Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
	Commission for Patient and Public Involvement
	Commission For Social Care Inspection
	Committee for the Safety of Medicines
	Communicable diseases
	Community care
	Consultants
	Control and restraint issues
	Coronary heart disease
	Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence
	Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals
	CRHP
	CSCI
	Dangerous pathogens
	Delayed discharge
	Dentists
	Department of Health
	Diabetes
	Diagnosis and treatment centres
	Disabled people
	DOH
	Domiciliary care
	Drug misuse
	Drug users
	DTCs
	Elderly care
	Emergency care
	Employment of children
	Ethnic minorities
	European Health Insurance Card
	Euthanasia
	Family planning
	Family practitioners
	Food hazards
	Food hygiene
	Food poisoning
	Foundation hospitals
	Gene therapy
	General Social Care Council
	Genetics
	GPs
	Health and Politics
	Health Development Agency
	Health issues
	Health Protection Agency
	Hepatitis
	HISS
	Hospital Acquired Infection
	Hospital cleanliness
	Hospital food
	Hospital Information Support Systems
	Hospitals
	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
	Human Genetics Commission
	Immunisation
	Infection control
	Infertility
	Ivan Lewis
	IVF
	Junior doctors
	Learning disabilities
	Long-Term Care
	Lord Hunt
	Lord Warner
	Maternity
	Medical and dental workforce
	Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
	Mental Health
	Mental Health Act Commission
	Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus Aureus
	MHRA
	Microbiological Safety of Foods
	Minister of State for Health
	Mobile Phones and Health
	MRSA
	National Care Standards Commission
	National Clinical Assessment Authority
	National DNA Database
	National Health Service
	National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
	National Patient Safety Agency
	National Radiological Protection Board
	NCAA
	NCSC
	NHS
	NHS Appointments Commission
	NHS Direct
	NHS Estates
	NHS Foundation Trusts
	NHS LIFT
	NHS Pay
	NHS Performance Indicators
	NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
	NHS University
	NHSU
	NICE
	Non-medical Workforce
	Notifiable Diseases
	NPSA
	NRPB
	Nursing Homes
	Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
	Nutrition
	Obesity
	Occupational health
	Ophthalmic services
	Organ donation
	Palliative care
	Patient Advocacy Liaison Services
	Patricia Hewitt
	PCT
	PHLS
	PPA
	Prescription Charges
	Prescription Pricing Authority
	Primary Care Trusts
	Private Financing Initiative
	Professions Allied to Medicine
	Public Health Laboratory Service
	QC
	Registered homes
	Residential care
	Rosie Winterton
	Secure accommodation
	Sexual health
	Sexually transmitted infections
	SHA
	Shipman Inquiry
	Sir Liam Donaldson
	Smoking
	Social care
	Social services
	Social work
	Strategic Health Authority
	Teenage pregnancies
	Tuberculosis
	UK transplant
	Vaccination
	Victoria Climbi Inquiry
	Viruses
	Voluntary children's homes
	Youth treatment services
	Cuttings from the regional press are provided by TNS Media Intelligence. The following is a list of the keywords that are used by TNS Media Intelligence as of 25 November 2008.
	NHS
	Alan Johnson
	Dentist
	Dentists
	MRSA
	Cdiff
	NHS and cuts
	Ben Bradshaw
	Dawn Primarolo
	Phil Hope
	Anne Keen
	Ara Darzi
	Lord Ara Darzi
	Lord Darzi
	NHS and reconfiguration
	Department of Health
	C.difficile
	Superbug
	GP
	Healthcare
	The lists of keywords are used by the press cuttings agencies to electronically search through press articles, before the articles are checked by hand to make sure that non-relevant articles are not included.

NHS

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department collects on serious untoward incidents in the NHS.

Ann Keen: Data relating to serious untoward incidents are not routinely collected by the Department. The National Patient Safety Agency collects and collates information related to serious patient safety incidents and deaths (as a result of patient safety incidents) which are reported to them from local national health service organisations through the National Reporting and Learning System.

NHS Information Centre

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is recorded in the Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index to which the NHS information centre has access.

Dawn Primarolo: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care has access to the Health Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index (HPAI) database, which is supplied by IMS Health (Intercontinental Medical Statistics).
	Data is collected from pharmacies in participating hospital trusts across the United Kingdom on a commercial basis and the section of the HPAI database relating to England has been made available by IMS on a monthly basis, subject to a contract between IMS Health and The Information Centre. The Information Centre receives data from this system at the level of the 28 strategic health authorities which existed prior to July 2006.
	The HPAI is based on issues of medicines recorded on hospital pharmacy systems; the data record the volume of packs issued rather than the number of issuing events. This volume information is priced using the Drug Tariff and other price lists. 'Issues' refer to all medicines supplied from hospital pharmacies: to wards, departments, clinics, theatres, satellite sites and to patients in out-patient clinics and on discharge. Therefore, the HPAI monitors usage levels by hospitals rather than purchases by trusts which may be acting for a consortium of trusts.

NHS: ICT

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS IT Cerner system at Worthing and Southlands Hospital Trust reliably makes available at handover between nursing shifts and doctors' shifts  (a) patients' names and numbers,  (b) the ward, bay and bed of each patient,  (c) the consultant in charge of each patient,  (d) information on what is wrong with, or the condition of, each patient and  (e) (i) a list of patients by ward and bed for nurses' handover and (ii) a list of patients by consultant for doctors' handover, each with the information in categories (a) to (c) above with lines of space between records to allow writing by nurses or doctors.

Ben Bradshaw: The Cerner system provides all these data on line. Problems experienced at the Worthing and Southlands hospitals trust have involved the ability to print the data, and in a form acceptable to local national health service staff. Necessary modifications to facilitate this were delayed as a result contract negotiations with the supplier between May and July 2008. These were installed in the system within the last week.

NHS: Inflation

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms his Department uses to measure the rate of inflation as it applies to NHS costs.

Ben Bradshaw: Between 1992-93 and 2003-04, the Department used the NHS inflation index to measure the rate of inflation specific to the NHS. The NHS inflation index is constructed using five sub-indices; these cover expenditure on Hospital and Community Health Sector (HCHS) pay, HCHS prices, HCHS capital, Family Health Services (FHS) and 'other'.
	The overall NHS inflation index is not available from 2004-05 onwards due to the introduction of new contracts for general medical services in 2004-05, pharmaceutical services in 2005-06 and general dental services in 2006-07 which provide flexibility for practitioners to expand the range of services they offer to patients. These new contracts mean that there is insufficient data to continue producing the FHS index.
	The Department continues to measure HCHS inflation using the pay, prices and capital indices.

NHS: Labour Turnover

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) NHS nurses and  (b) NHS doctors who left their employment with between two and five years experience in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 to date.

Ann Keen: The estimated headcount number of national health service doctors and nurses leaving the English NHS for the years 2005 and 2006 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Joiners in 2006  Leavers from 2005  Joiners in2007  Leavers from 2006 
			 Hospital doctors 5,473 4,720 5,787 4,990 
			 Nurses 27,293 27,452 21,483 24,901 
			 GPs 2,864 2,368 2,721 1,966 
			  Source: NHS Information Centre Medical and Non Medical workforce censuses http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs-turnover 
		
	
	Data for 2007 and 2008 has not yet been collected. No data is available to show how many of the leavers shown in the aforementioned table left the NHS with between two and five years experience.

Nutrition Strategy Steering Group

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider the merits of widening the remit of the Nutrition Strategy Steering Group to allow it to consider malnutrition amongst older people; whether the membership of this body will be expanded to include a professional working this area; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board was set up with a narrow remit to oversee delivery of Improving Nutritional Care: A joint Action Plan from the Department of Health and Nutrition Summit Stakeholders. The Board will make a final report to ministers in the new year. It is planned that the Board will dissolve at that point but Ministers will consider this in the light of the final report.
	The plan identifies five key priorities for action, one of which is:
	To raise awareness of the link between nutrition and good health and that malnutrition can be prevented.
	The Board's membership includes Professor Marinos Elia from the British Association for Parental and Enteral Nutrition which has done pioneer work on screening for malnutrition.

Obesity: Surgery

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each age group have received gastric surgery of each type for the treatment of obesity in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on finished consultant episodes for gastric surgery related to obesity by age group is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Count of finished consultant episodes where there was a main operative procedure for gastric surgery and a primary diagnosis of Obesity in data years 1997-98 to 2006-07 
			Gastric bypass  Stomach stapling  Banded gastroplasty  Sleeve gastrectomy 
			 2006-07 Under 15 
			  15-44 462 75 388 25 
			  45-64 337 38 309 15 
			  65+ *  9  
			  Age Unknown 
			   
			 2005-06 Under 15 
			  15-44 268 13 270  
			  45-64 200 8 203  
			  65+   *  
			  Age Unknown   *  
			   
			 2004-05 Under 15 
			  15-44 188 * 263  
			  45-64 110 * 136  
			  65+ *  *  
			  Age Unknown   *  
			   
			 2003-04 Under 15   *  
			  15-44 141 * 147  
			  45-64 80 * 90  
			  65+   *  
			  Age Unknown 
			 2002-03 Under 15 
			  15-44 72 * 142  
			  45-64 55 * 65  
			  65+ *
			  Age Unknown 
			   
			 2001-02 Under 15 
			  15-44 44 * 126  
			  45-64 31  66  
			  65+ *  *  
			  Age Unknown   *  
			   
			 2000-01 Under 15 
			  15-44 39 8 129  
			  45-64 16 * 64  
			  65+   *  
			  Age Unknown   *  
			   
			 1999-00 Under 15 
			  15-44 30 * 100  
			  45-64 17 * 38  
			  65+ 
			  Age Unknown 
			   
			 1998-99 Under 15 
			  15-44 20  119  
			  45-64 5  31  
			  65+ *  *  
			  Age Unknown 
			   
			 1997-98 Under 15 
			  15-44 21 * 74  
			  45-64 5 * 40  
			  65+ 
			  Age Unknown   *  
			  Notes:  Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.  Data Quality Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS, there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis) The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.  Diagnosis Code Used: E660 - Obesity due to excess calories E661 - Drug-induced obesity E662 - Extreme obesity with alveolar hypoventilation E668 - Other obesity E669 - Obesity, unspecified  Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Small numbers Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with * (an asterisk). Where it was possible to identify numbers from the total due to a single suppressed number in a row or column, an additional number (the next smallest) has been suppressed in order to protect patient confidentiality.  Main Operation The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, e.g. time waited, but the figures for 'all operations count of episodes' give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.  Secondary Procedure As well as the main operative procedure, there are up to 11 (3 prior to 2002-03) secondary operation fields in HES that show secondary or additional procedures performed on the patient during the episode of care.  Source: HES. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 
		
	
	The following information needs to be taken into account when interpreting this data:
	Data is defined as ICD-10 code E66 (obesity) paired with the following categories of gastric surgery.
	Gastric bypass surgery
	Stomach stapling
	Banded gastroplasty
	Sleeve gastrectomy
	Banded Gastroplasty is also known in some circumstances as stomach stapling, and is a common restrictive operation for weight control. Both the band and staples are used to create a small stomach pouch.
	There are no dedicated codes for Sleeve Gastrectomy prior to April 2006 and therefore this data cannot be identified. However, in 2006-07 these codes are also included in the 'gastric bypass surgery' category therefore it is not possible to add all categories to calculate the total number of finished consultant episodes with gastric surgery 2006-07.
	Prior to April 2006 there was no dedicated code for 'Stomach Stapling'. However, it was possible to provide information from two operation codes used to identify stomach stapling operations.

Patient Choice Schemes

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls to the NHS Direct national Choose and Book appointments line  (a) were unanswered,  (b) received an engaged tone,  (c) were abandoned and  (d) were answered in each of the last 36 months.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of calls to the Choose and Book Appointments Line (TAL) run by NHS Direct on behalf of the national health service which were unanswered, received an engaged tone, abandoned or answered in each of the last 36 months are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Breakdown of calls received by British Telecom (BT) switch (the telephone network provider) and those calls transferred to the Choose and Book Appointments Line (TAL) 
			   November  December  January  February  March 
			  2005-06  
			 Calls received by BT switch 7,248 7,184 11,606 15,122 23,139 
			 Ineffective(1)  
			 Engaged(2)  
			   
			 Calls received by TAL 7,248 7,184 11,606 15,122 23,139 
			 Calls answered 7,094 7,102 11,469 14,952 22,926 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 154 82 137 170 213 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold)(3)  
		
	
	
		
			   April  May  June  July  August  September 
			  2006 to 2007   
			 Calls received by BT switch 23,442 63,137 108,266 91,764 90,844 113,013 
			 Ineffective(1)  474 
			 Engaged(2)  13 
			
			 Calls received by TAL 23,442 63,137 108,266 91,764 90,844 112,526 
			 Calls answered 23,039 47,650 62,722 87,200 89,208 107,388 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 403 15,487 45,544 4,564 1,636 5,138 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold)(3)   
		
	
	
		
			   October  November  December  January  February  March 
			  2006 to 2007   
			 Calls received by BT switch 139,675 144,025 127,237 189,717 182,639 193,585 
			 Ineffective(1) 1,003 1,772 1,077 2,336 2,617 4,770 
			 Engaged(2) 1351 11 55 1679 0 2072 
			
			 Calls received by TAL 137,321 142,242 126,105 185,702 180,022 186,743 
			 Calls answered 127,449 137,621 121,822 173,469 169,200 173,923 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 9,872 4,621 4,283 12,233 10,822 12,820 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold)(3)   
		
	
	
		
			   April  May  June  July  August  September 
			  2007 to 2008   
			 Calls received by BT switch 198,769 198,348 211,977 261,911 242,953 237,329 
			 Ineffective(1) 4,089 2,181 2,770 6,221 5,836 7,268 
			 Engaged(2) 1216 1 2 9425 6 14 
			
			 Calls received by TAL 193,464 196,166 209,205 246,265 237,111 230,047 
			 Calls answered 169,100 193,642 202,989 217,877 226,942 220,480 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 24,364 2,524 6,216 28,388 10,169 9,567 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold)(3)  862 3,035 18,291 4,583 4,433 
		
	
	
		
			   October  November  December  January  February  March 
			  2007 to 2008   
			 Calls received by BT switch 270,624 267,112 207,074 285,655 282,907 277,247 
			 Ineffective(1) 4,647 3,925 2,623 4,958 6,979 7,118 
			 Engaged(2) 18 19 0 7 66 200 
			
			 Calls received by TAL 265,959 263,168 204,451 280,690 275,862 269,929 
			 Calls answered 262,776 260,812 202,543 274,203 267,235 260,899 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 3,183 2,356 1,908 6,487 8,627 9,030 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold)(3) 799 455 428 1,960 3,420 3,165 
		
	
	
		
			   April  May  June  July  August  September  October 
			  2008 to 2009
			 Calls received by BT switch 306,532 306,618 311,301 346,001 296,747 327,394 337,839 
			 Ineffective (1) 8,921 7,869 11,510 11,357 6,270 6,175 8,797 
			 Engaged (2) 1411 2279 0 1 1 1 0 
			 
			 Calls received by TAL 296,200 296,470 299,791 334,643 290,476 321,218 329,042 
			 Calls answered 285,982 285,689 285,204 322,462 284,450 312,592 320,415 
			 Calls abandoned (received minus answered) 10,218 10,781 14,587 12,181 6,026 8,626 8,627 
			 Calls abandoned (after threshold) (3) 4,040 3,937 4,936 3,769 1,259 3,056 2,722 
			 (1 )Data on the number of ineffective calls was not collected by NHS Direct prior to September 2006.  (2 )Data on the number of engaged calls was not collected by NHS Direct prior to September 2006.  (3 )Data on the number of calls abandoned after the threshold was not collected prior to May 2007.   Definitions: Ineffective call: consists of two groups of calls: 1. Calls where the caller abandons after 10 seconds after the end of the message and before the service's equipment can accept the call. The presence of such calls may indicate a problem with NHS Direct's call transfer processes.  2. Calls routed to a courtesy message during service hours. The intelligent network occasionally routes calls to this message when average wait time exceeds a certain threshold. Engaged call: The proportion of calls that are routed to NHS Direct and receive the engaged tone. Calls abandoned: Calls where the caller abandoned after 10 seconds after the end of the message and before TAL's equipment can accept the call. Calls abandoned after threshold: When calls are presented to a Choose and Book site the customer has the ability to abandon the call before it is answered. If this happens the call is recorded as an abandoned call. Only calls abandoned after 30 seconds of the call being presented to Choose and Book are included for this key performance indicator.   Source:  NHS Direct.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the  (a) total cost and  (b) unit cost per child of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme if it applied to all primary school children;
	(2)  what the unit cost of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme per child served by the scheme was in the last year for which data is available.

Dawn Primarolo: The unit cost of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is 20.48 per child per year and the estimated total cost of the scheme if applied to all primary school children is 83,968,000 based on 4.1 million primary school children.

Sight Impaired: Elderly

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under the age of 65 years are registered blind, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Data on the number of registered blind people is not collected centrally by constituency but is available for Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities and Government Office Regions.
	The number of people under the age of 65 who registered with Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities as at 31 March 2008 as being blind (39,760) is almost 7 per cent. greater than at 31 March 2006 (937,250).
	A table showing numbers by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities and Government Office Regions has been placed in the Library.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for  (a) heart and  (b) cancer operations in Bolsover constituency in each year since 2001-02.

Ann Keen: The information is not collected in the format requested. However, figures for median days waited for a heart operation and finished consultant episodes where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure where Derbyshire county primary care trust (PCT), or each of the forerunner organisations, was the PCT of responsibility are shown in the tables:
	
		
			  Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			   Median waiting time  Finished consultant episodes 
			  Derbyshire County PCT of responsibility   
			 2006-07 60 3,080 
		
	
	
		
			   PCT of responsibility  Median waiting time  Finished consultant episodes 
			 2005-06 Chesterfield PCT 43 634 
			  Amber Valley PCT 42 634 
			  North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 49 830 
			  Erewash PCT 65 479 
			  Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT 62 423 
			  High Peak and Dales PCT 51 492 
			 
			 2004-05 Chesterfield PCT 98 510 
			  Amber Valley PCT 48 545 
			  North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 89 702 
			  Erewash PCT 53 423 
			  Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT 36 334 
			  High Peak and Dales PCT 72 430 
			 
			 2003-04 Chesterfield PCT 112 446 
			  Amber Valley PCT 29 511 
			  North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 111 641 
			  Erewash PCT 28 396 
			  Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT 22 379 
			  High Peak and Dales PCT 76 400 
			 
			 2002-03 Chesterfield PCT 101 412 
			  Amber Valley PCT 56 422 
			  North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 100 484 
			  Erewash PCT 36 340 
			  Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT 56 263 
			  High Peak and Dales PCT 72 318 
			 
			 2001-02 Chesterfield PCT 108 329 
			  Amber Valley PCT 49 426 
			  North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 112 467 
			  Erewash PCT 47 323 
			  Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT 53 282 
			  High Peak and Dales PCT 56 296 
			  Notes: 1. Prior to October 2006, Bolsover constituency was represented by North East Derbyshire PCT. On 1 October 2006 the number of Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) reduced from 303 to 152. Following the organisational changes, North East Derbyshire PCT was merged with five other trusts to make up Derbyshire County PCT. To enable better comparison, data has been provided for Derbyshire County PCT in 2006-07 and from 2001-02 to 2005-06 for all trusts that merged to make Derbyshire County PCT historically. This will include the following trusts and will mean the data provided will cover an area wider than the Bolsover constituency: Chesterfield PCT Amber Valley PCT North Eastern Derbyshire PCT Erewash PCT Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT High Peak and Dales PCT 2. Waiting time statistics for the Department have been provided for the same parliamentary question in the past. I refer the hon. Member to the Answer of 30 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1225W, on waiting lists, what the average waiting times were for  (a) heart and  (b) cancer operations in Bolsover constituency in each year since 2000-01. However, the Department has not collected waiting times data on a specialty level since September 2007, and therefore can no longer answer these questions on specific types of operation. 3. Following are the main differences between time waited and waiting time statistics:  HES Time Waited Statistics measures time waited of those who have completed their wait (admitted over the course of the year) time waited includes periods where patient is either medically unfit (medical suspension) and/or periods when patient has made himself/herself unavailable for treatment (social suspension) measures the median or mean of a flow (see following for definition) calculates mean and median based on individual admissionsusing time waited as the difference between date of decision to admit and date of admission Flaws include that there are a large number of invalid cases where either the date of decision to admit or date of date of admission (or both) are missing, and that there are further coding problems so that there are a large number of waiters with implausibly long waits. For example, in 2002-03 HES there were over 3,500 patients who waited longer than 1,000 days according to the HES coding, and of these 3,500 nearly 1,000 patients waited longer than 1,500 days.  Korner (Department of Health) Waiting List Statistics measures time waiting of those who are still waiting (at a specific point in time i.e. end-month) discounts periods where patient is medically unfit (medical suspension) or unavailable for treatment (social suspension) measures the median or mean of a stock calculates means and medians based on waiting time bands therefore requires some degree of estimation, i.e. assumptions have to be made about distributions within time bands to calculate means and medians. 4. The most fundamental difference to understand is the difference between a stock and a flow. Korner reports waiting list stocks, HES reports waiting list flows. The difference between a stock and a flow is best illustrated through ghost waiters (a subset of those requiring urgent treatment). These are patients who are placed on an elective waiting list and who are admitted before the end of the calendar month in which they were placed on the list (they will usually have been clinically defined as urgent and hence are admitted rapidly). Such patients will be captured in the flow of patients but will not appear in any month end stock figures. 5. PCT of responsibilityA derived field providing the PCT responsible for the patient. Commissioning responsibility for individual patients rests with the PCT with whom the patient is registered. This means that patients with a general practitioner (GP) in one PCT area may reside in a neighbouring or other area but remain the responsibility of the PCT with whom their GP of registration is associated. PCTs are also responsible for non-registered patients who are resident within their boundaries. 6. Time waited (days)Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. HES also calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. 7. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which the FCE finishes. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 8. Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedureThese figures represent the number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) operative procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one operative procedure field of the record. More procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients undergoing a 'cataract operation' would tend to have at least two proceduresremoval of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new onecounted in a single episode. 9. Main procedureThe main procedure is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedure. 10. Data qualityHES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 11. Assessing growth through timeHES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 12. Ungrossed dataFigures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed. 13. FCEs where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure have been provided to illustrate how may heart operations were being performed. FCEs will include all types of admissions to hospital including emergencies, whereas the data for time waited is only for those who were on an elective waiting list. 14. The median figures have been quoted in preference to mean as median figures are a better proxy to the average time waited. Mean figures can cloud the real picture if some anomalies (long-waiters) may be artificially increasing the average.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care 
		
	
	HES has not been able to provide data on cancer operations. As confirmed by the NHS Classification Service the axis of Office of Population Census and Surveys-4 (OPCS-4) classification is body system and the majority of procedure codes remain the same regardless of the condition that is being treated. For example if a patient has a lesion removed from the skin of the eyelid, the OPCS-4 code would be the same whether the lesion was a mole or cancer. Therefore it is not possible to differentiate between 'cancer operations' and 'non-cancer' operations using OPCS-4. However you may be able to find the information you need from the Cancer Registry, who collect data specifically related to cancer.
	Statistics on average waiting times for cancer patients and average waiting times for different types of cancer treatment are not collected centrally. Cancer waiting times' standards of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment, and a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first cancer treatment were introduced for all cancer patients from December 2005. In the last quarter (April to June 2008) national performance against these standards was 99.6 per cent. and 97.1 per cent. respectively.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for  (a) heart and  (b) cancer operations in Hemel Hempstead constituency in each year since 2001-02.

Ann Keen: Data are not collected for the average waiting time for cancer operations.
	Data for the average waiting time for heart operations are not available in the format requested. Data are collected at trust level. The data provided are for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust from 2001-02 to 2006-07. The data provided are the median days waited for a heart operation(1 )where the heart operation was the main procedure, and the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure.
	Mean and median days waited for a heart operation(2,4) where the heart operation was the main procedure and the number of finished consultant episodes(3) where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure in West Hertfordshire Trust from 2001-02 to 2006-07.
	
		
			   Median waiting time( 2)  Finished consultant episodes( 3) 
			 2006-07 103 1,707 
			 2005-06 104 1,551 
			 2004-05 180 1,239 
			 2003-04 175 356 
			 2002-03 (1)0 146 
			 2001-02 (1)0 149 
			 (1) Very few heart operations were performed in West Hertfordshire Trust between 2001-02 and 2002-03. Those heart operations that did take place were likely to be emergency procedures. (2) Time waited (days) Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. (3) Finished consultant episode (FCE) A FCE is defined as a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which the FCE finishes. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. (4) Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure  These figures represent the number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) operative procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one operative procedure field of the record. More procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a 'cataract operation' would tend to have at least two proceduresremoval of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new onecounted in a single episode.  Notes: 1.  Main procedure The main procedure is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedure. 2.  Changes to Coding ClassificationsOPCS4 Operative procedure codes were revised for 2006-07 and 2007-08. 2007-08 data uses OPCS 4.4 codes, 2006-07 data uses OPCS 4.3 codes, data prior to 2006-07 uses OPCS 4.2 codes. All codes that were in OPCS 4.2 remain in later OPCS 4 versions, however the introduction of OPCS 4.3 codes enable the recording of interventions and procedures which were not possible in OPCS 4.2. In particular, OPCS 4.3 and OPCS 4.4 codes additionally include high cost drugs and diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation. You may also find that some activity may have been coded under different codes in OPCS 4.2. These changes need to be borne in mind when analysing time series and may explain any trends over time. Care needs to be taken in using the newer codes as some providers of data were unable to start using the new codes at the beginning of each data year. The hon. Member can read more information about OPCS 4 changes on the Connecting for Health website: www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk. 3.  Data Quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 4.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  5.  Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Syringes: Injuries

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many needlestick injuries to health care staff have been recorded in each trust in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much time off work health care staff in each trust have taken due to needlestick injuries in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on the number of days of absence relating to needlestick injuries to national health service staff is not collected centrally. However, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) collects information on surveillance of significant occupational exposures to blood borne viruses in health care workers in the United Kingdom; its latest report is available on the HPA's website at:
	http://www.camr.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1205394781623
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 585-86W.

Carbon Emissions: Standards

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what percentage of emissions reductions in the EU power sector from a 1990 baseline he estimates will arise  (a) as a result of reductions in EU domestic emissions from this sector and  (b) as a result of the purchase of clean development mechanism or joint implementation credits.

Joan Ruddock: It is not possible to estimate the exact levels of EU emissions reductions that have been made against a 1990 baseline in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). This is because data from 1990 on emissions from the power sector does not correlate exactly to the emissions which have been included in the EU ETS power sector from 2005. To determine this would require a detailed breakdown of 1990 emissions data in all member states, which we do not have access to. Moreover, there is no sector specific cap for the power sector in Phase III of the EU ETS so again it would not be possible to calculate effort specifically attributable to that sector.
	For the same reasons we cannot determine the precise level of reductions attributed to the power sector since 1990 that have been achieved through the Clean Development Mechanism.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average contribution requested from householders assisted under the Warm Front scheme was in  (a) Suffolk and  (b) England since the inception of contributions.

Joan Ruddock: The average contributions up until 27 October 2008 (the latest time for which figures are available) are as follows:
	
		
			   Average contribution () 
			 (a) Suffolk 808.76 
			 (b) England 532.57 
		
	
	The figures shown are representative of the contributions requested during the second phase of Warm Front, beginning in 2005. Contributions were requested prior to this time but the data retained by the new scheme manager does not permit me to provide the figures required.

Lighting: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many low energy light bulbs have been distributed without charge and at the expense of the public purse to pensioners in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire; and at what cost.

Joan Ruddock: In the last full Warm Front Scheme year, 1 April 2007-30 March 2008, the Warm Front Scheme distributed 370 compact fluorescent light-bulbs to 185 households in Hemel Hempstead, at no cost to the household. 2,430 light-bulbs were delivered to 1,215 households in Hertfordshire over the same period. All of these householders were on disability or income related benefits, as required to qualify for the scheme.
	Associated costs are 1,421 and 9,337 plus 5 per cent. VAT, respectively. The cost associated with light-bulb provision covers the purchase, storage, packaging and delivery of these items.
	Under the previous Energy Efficiency Commitment and the current Carbon Emissions Reduction Target programme, Ofgem, who regulate the scheme for the Government, are only required to monitor energy suppliers' activity across Great Britain as a whole. Data is not collected by region or any other local area.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Kent

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been  (a) issued and  (b) breached in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii) Kent since 31 December 2005.

Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.

British National Party

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on whether allegations of threats of violence have been reported to the police by members of the British Nationalist Party since the Party's membership list was posted on the internet; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.

Departmental Information

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 258W, on departmental information, whether any data not classed as core information and re-usable free of charge has been sold by her Department and its agencies under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: I will write to the right hon. Gentleman.

Driving Under Influence

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of  (a) drug and  (b) drink driving were recorded in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii) Kent in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department plans to spend in total on tackling drugs in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 November 2008
	 I will write to the hon. Member.

Drugs: Crime Prevention

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 442W, on drugs: crime prevention, when data on crackhouse closure orders in 2007-08 will be available.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 October 2008
	I will write to the hon. Member.

Entry Clearances: Biometrics

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where fingerprints taken from people receiving biometric visas are stored.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Gamma-butyrolactone

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will commission research into (a) the profiles of people buying gamma-butyrolactone and (b) the purposes for which they obtained that drug; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many reports have been made to the police involving the possible use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug;
	(3)  what research she has commissioned into the use of gamma butyrolactone as a date rape drug;
	(4)  what representations she has received from the Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what assessment she has made of the risk to victims of the use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: Holding answers 22  and  23 October 2008
	I will write to the hon. Member.

Human Trafficking

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victims of human trafficking were identified during police operations in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Human Trafficking: Females

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Government-funded residential places were available at any one time for women who were victims of human trafficking in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Human Trafficking: Females

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2008,  Official Report, column 75W, on human trafficking: females, what steps are being taken by the  (a) Serious Organised Crime Agency and  (b) United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre to improve collection of intelligence of human trafficking; and when she expects improved statistics on the extent of human trafficking in the United Kingdom to be published.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Human Trafficking: Victim Support Schemes

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the eligibility requirements are for victims of human trafficking to be granted access to safe accommodation funded by the Government.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Identity Cards

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse would be of the immediate cancellation of the identity card scheme.

Jacqui Smith: Since Parliament approved the Identity Cards Act in 2006, work to deliver the national identity scheme has been ongoing.
	The scheme includes procurement of replacement and new capabilities to continue to issue and improve the UK passport and support the work of UK Borders Agency. Therefore a decision to cancel would require significant internal work to identify what work would continue and what would need to cease. Further to this, work would then be required to assess the impact on programme structures, staffing, procurements and awarded contracts.
	Due to this an answer cannot be calculated with certainty without incurring disproportionate costs.

Identity Cards

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, what mechanism will exist to allow the public to check their core identity information on the internet;
	(2)  with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, how the security of the system to allow identity card holders to check their core identity information online will be protected.
	(3)  with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, what estimate has been made of the cost of providing the system to allow identity card holders to check their core identity information online.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. and learned Member.

Immigration

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what mechanism evidence is gathered from police forces on the impact of migration on each force.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 4 November 2008
	 I will write to the hon. Member.

Immigration Controls

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral statement of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 175, on immigration controls, what the evidential basis is for the statement that 12 per cent. fewer migrants would have come to the UK to work last year had tier 2 of the points-based migration system been in place.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 November 2008
	 I will write to the hon. Member.

Immigration Controls: Luton Airport

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-EU passport holders were processed by passport control at London Luton Airport in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: This information is not recorded at point of entry and as such is not available for disclosure. Statistics on passenger movements at all UK airports are however published by external sources.

Immigration Controls: Luton Airport

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU passport holders were processed by passport control at London Luton Airport in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: This information is not recorded at point of entry and as such is not available for disclosure. Statistics on passenger movements at all UK airports are however published by external sources.

Immigration: Appeals

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date  (a) the Border and Immigration Agency received notification that the appeal of Mrs Hina Sayid (ref. S1377193) to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal had been allowed and  (b) the UK Border Agency received documentation in support of Mrs Sayid's application for a visit visa; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 November 2008.

Immigration: Appeals

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to issue the constituent of the hon. Member for Ilford South, Mrs Hina Sajid (ref. S1377193) with documents confirming her indefinite leave to remain, following the determination of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on 2nd October 2007 allowing the appeal against the decision to refuse her such leave; when Mrs Sajid's passport will be endorsed with the appropriate status; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 November 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to reply to the letter of 5 July from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield.

Jacqui Smith: The hon. Member's letter was received in the Home Office on 6 July 2007, and was immediately transferred to the Department for Transport. Notification of the transfer was sent to the hon. Member the same day. The Department for Transport advise that a reply was sent by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) on 8 August 2007.

Mosques

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mosques she has visited since her appointment.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 1 February 2008
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, visited Leicester Central Mosque on the 21 February 2008 and Luton Central Mosque on the 17 November 2008.

Offensive Weapons

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were  (a) prosecuted,  (b) convicted of knife possession and  (c) sentenced to prison for knife possession between (i) June and October 2008 and (ii) June and October 2007.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 3 November 2008
	I will write to the hon. Member.

Passports

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the annual resource costs of providing passports to British citizens were in each of the last five years;
	(2)  when she plans to reply to Question 226405, tabled on 8 October 2008, on passports.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Passports: Costs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of  (a) issuing and  (b) producing passports in each of the last eight years has been; and what estimate has been made of the cost of (i) issuing and (ii) producing passports for each of the next eight years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 November 2008
	will write to the hon. Member.

Police: Bureaucracy

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been carried out of the effect on the amount of police paperwork of moving responsibility for charging decisions from police forces to the Crown Prosecution Service under the statutory charging initiative.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 3 November 2008
	I will write to the hon. Member.

Police: Pay

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the Metropolitan Police of paying the recent proposed award of 2.5 per cent. to police officers in full would be in 2008-09.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 10 June 2008
	 I will write to the hon. Member.

Prisoners Release

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are unlawfully at large having been removed from prison to immigration centres and subsequently released into the community.

Phil Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.

Proceeds of Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1079W, on the proceeds of crime, what initiatives have been funded through allocations to police forces under the asset recovery incentive scheme.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

Proceeds of Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1079W, on the proceeds of crime, how much was received by each police force under the asset recovery incentive scheme in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.

UK Border Agency: Complaints

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were investigated by the Complaints Audit Committee of the UK Border Agency and its predecessor in each of the last three years.

Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 221501, tabled on 17 July 2008, on CCTV in Central Newcastle.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1240W.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 225219, tabled on 3 October 2008, on Home Office contracts with PA Consulting.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Gentleman on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 826W.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 227220, tabled on 10 October 2008, on DNA profiles.

Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226401, tabled on 8 October 2008, on biometric information.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time of answering the  Official Report reference is not available.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 226404, tabled on 8 October 2008, on the Identity Card Scheme Cost Report.

Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226403, tabled on 8 October 2008, on fingerprints for workers employed in sensitive locations applying for identity cards.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 724W.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226402, tabled on 8 October 2008, on identity cards for British citizens under the age of 16 years.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 725W.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 227246, tabled on 10 October 2008, on people attempting to cross the English Channel illegally.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time of answering the  Official Report reference was not available.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 227245, tabled on 10 October 2008, on weapons prevented from entering the UK.

Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time answering the  Official Report reference is not available.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226409, tabled on 8 October 2008, on identify cards.

Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Young Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Departments are involved in the prevention of youth crime; and what the role of each is in this respect.

Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.